Jakarta – The Makassar Legal Aid Institute (LBH) has lambasted the acquittal of Nur Ansari, the suspect in the firebombing of five churches in the city, on all charges saying that the verdict is a slap in the face for prosecutors and the police.

"The verdict also reflects on the weakness of our judicial system," Makassar LBH deputy director Zulkifli Hasanuddin said in Makassar on Friday as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said that the court failed to convict the suspect although the evidence and supporting information in the case was solid. The rights activist said that the verdict had disappointed the public who expected a conviction.

He claimed that the dossier should have told the panel of judges very clearly of the string of bombings allegedly committed by the suspect. He said that other convincing evidence was the fact that the defendant himself had acknowledged what he had done. (hrl)