Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas

The 41-year-old, who along with two of the other 23 suspects may be sentenced to more than 60,000 years if found responsible for the 3,000 lives lost, describes himself as a businessman.

Amid a string of denials, Yarkas did admit to having met two high-ranking al-Qaeda officials whom he allegedly succeeded in 1995.

The April 25 session opened with Luis Jose Galan, the only Spanish-born accused, being brought to the dock. He denied having been sent to a training camp in Indonesia by Yarkas in July 2001 and denounced all forms of violence.

"Not only do I condemn the deaths of 3,000 people but even one death in New York, Gaza or Fallujah. He who dares take a life kills all humanity. I don't care whether his name is bin Laden, Bush, Sharon or Putin," he said.

The trial, the first to be shown live on Spanish satellite TV, is expected to last two months.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 30, 2005
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