JAKARTA ~ A man charged with carrying out an armed robbery with one of the country’s most wanted militants to help finance terrorism was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Monday.

Prosecutors said the man took part in a 2005 holdup with Noordin Muhammad Top, a key member of regional extremist network Jemaah Islamiah (JI) blamed for several deadly attacks.

The man, a 22-year-old whose sole name is Mustagfirin, was found guilty of illegally possessing firearms and taking part in a robbery to finance other acts of terrorism.

Prosecutors had recommended a 15-year sentence. Defense lawyer Arif Widada said his client was considering an appeal.

Analysts say Noordin may have split off from JI to form an even more hardline group while retaining some links. Noordin has narrowly escaped arrest several times.

Mustagfirin was captured in an April 2006 raid that saw two other suspected militants killed and a third captured.