JAKARTA: An Islamist extremist linked to the militant group al-Qaeda in Aceh, which plotted to kill Westerners in Indonesia, has gone on trial facing multiple terrorism-related charges.

Abdullah Sunata, 32, was part of an ''evil conspiracy'' and had organised the cell's military-style training in Aceh province last year, the prosecutor Asep Aminudin said yesterday. He also supplied firearms to the group, Mr Aminudin said.

Dangerous ... Abdullah Sunata is surrounded by his family after arriving at the East Jakarta court yesterday to begin his trial. Credit:AFP

''The accused … attempted or assisted in carrying out terrorist acts, with the use of violence to stir up an atmosphere of terror and widespread fear,'' he told the East Jakarta district court.

Sunata was released from jail in 2009 for good behaviour after serving only a small fraction of a seven-year sentence for his role in the 2004 Australian embassy attack, which killed 10 people.