Indonesian prosecutors on Friday formally charged militant Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir with involvement in a suicide bombing at Jakarta's JW Marriott hotel.

His trial is expected to begin in about two weeks, Yunda Hasbi, an official at the South Jakarta district court told reporters.

If found guilty, Bashir could face the death penalty under Indonesia's anti-terrorism law.

Prosecutors are expected to focus on his alleged leadership of Jemaah Islamiyah, an extremist group authorities say has ties to al-Qaeda.

The 65-page indictment accuses the white-bearded Bashir, 66, of planning or inciting others to terrorism or helping them carry out an "explosion which endangered or cost the lives of others."

Prosecutors accuse him of providing assistance to terrorists and withholding information about terrorist acts.