Court to rule on Bali bomb suspect

An Indonesian court is expected to issue a verdict in the case of a terror suspect accused of helping to build the car bomb used in the 2002 Bali nightclub attacks.

Sentencing is also expected today.

Prosecutors want a life sentence for 45-year-old Umar Patek and say he is a leading member of the al Qaida-linked network Jemaah Islamiyah.

He is accused of illegal weapons possession, concealing terrorist acts, immigration violations and premeditated murder in the bombings that killed 202 people on the resort island.

Most victims were foreign tourists, including 88 Australians and seven Americans.

Patek says he was a minor player and should not get a life term.

A five-member judge panel at West Jakarta District Court will issue the verdict.