Bayu Marhaenjati – The mastermind behind last year's book bombing plot, Pepi Fernando, was sentenced to 18 years in jail by the West Jakarta District Court on Monday.

Pepi planned to send bombs disguised as books to four advocates of liberal Islam in Jakarta during March of last year. He was also behind a failed plot to bomb the Christ Cathedral Church in Serpong, Tangerang during the same month.

"We've decided that Pepi Fernando is guilty of terrorism and sentence him to 18 years in jail," Chief Judge Moestofa said as he read out the verdict.

Pepi's lawyer, Asludin, said after court that the sentence was too harsh, but still was considerably lower than the life sentence sought by the prosecution. The defense attorney had expected a lower sentence, since his client had cooperated with the prosecution during the trial.

"The panel of judges acknowledged that [cooperatiness]," Asludin said. Pepi had not decided whether he would appeal the verdict.