JAKARTA – The long-awaited Hambali trial is set to begin in the United States this November, after more than two decades of detention at Guantanamo Bay. Hambali, whose real name is Encep Nurjaman, is accused of masterminding the 2002 Bali Bombing that killed 202 people and injured 209 others.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, confirmed the schedule during a press briefing in Jakarta on Friday (Oct 10). “The US military court will begin proceedings in November this year,” he said.

However, Yusril added that Indonesia has not yet received an official statement from Washington regarding the exact date or legal details. “We’ve only heard it will happen around November,” he noted.

Hambali, a former senior member of the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), has been held at the US military facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for over 20 years without trial. He is accused of coordinating several terror attacks across Southeast Asia, including the deadly Bali Bombing 2002.

Yusril said he had discussed Hambali’s status with US representatives during a meeting in August 2025. “We hope the US government will share the latest developments regarding his case,” he stated.

Despite his alleged crimes, Yusril reaffirmed that Hambali remains an Indonesian citizen who must be treated in accordance with international law. “No matter how serious the offense, he is still our citizen. We must ensure his legal rights are respected,” Yusril emphasized.

The Hambali trial will be a significant moment in counterterrorism history, potentially revealing long-held details about the network behind the Bali attacks — one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in Southeast Asia.