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Bombers' execution unconfirmed: AGO
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 11/09/2008 11:06 AM | Headlines
As of 1 a.m. Sunday word of the Bali bombers execution remains unconfirmed, with the officials of the Attorney General's Office saying they had lost contact with their representatives at the Nusa Kambangan prison where the convicts were detained.
"I am not confirming or denying anything," spokesman Djasman Panjaitan told news conference at 1:30 a.m.
After a series of delay of the execution earlier scheduled for September, the holy fasting month, prosecutors only said the execution would take place "early November". The uncertainty fuels a speculation, allowing sympathizers time to rally to the bombers' cause.
News reports had earlier said the convicts were taken from Batu Penitentiary in Nusakambangan island, Central Java around midnight to Bukit Nirbaya, the site of the execution.
In their final legal attempt the convicts had asked to die by hanging.
Imam Samudra, 38, Amrozi, 47 and Ali Gufron alias Mukhlas, 48 were sentenced to death for their roles in the bombing which killed 202 people, mainly foreign tourists. In 2005 another bombing incident dashed for the hope of quick economic recovery in Bali.
A helicopter had been prepared to take the bodies of Imam Samudra, 38, Amrozi, 47 and Ali Guffron alias Mukhlas, 48, to their hometowns in Banten and East Java.
In the home village of brothers Amrozi and Mukhlas crowds gathered to wait for the arrival of the bodies.
Earlier people, including curious villagers, listened to leading hardline cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir who came to the village and hailed the bombers as "holy warriors".
"We should emulate their fighting spirit, they are ready to sacrifice their live fighting for Islam and they will not surrender, that's what a holy warrior is," Ba'asyir said.
Ba'asyir was among founders of Jamaah Ismaiyah militant network blamed for a number of bombings in Indonesia.
In a macabre twist, family members and villagers were selling T-shirts praising the convicted bombers, AFP reported Saturday.
Anti-terror squad and mobile brigade personnel have intensified security in Bali, Cilacap, the town near Nusa Kambangan island and in the bombers' home villages.
Critics of the death penalty have said the execution will only serve to turn the terrorists into martyr.
(With additional reporting Dian Kuswandini)
Sam (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 7:03pm
I see Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is still spitting his bile - but why does he get publicity when he openly vilifies people of other races & religions? Allowing him to use your respected journal as a mouthpiece is tantamount to endorsement.
Unfortunately there seems to be a certain level of sympathy for radical racist views.
Joe blog (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 4:43pm
Why does everybody in Indonesia get upset with the producer of FITNA and the cartoon of mohammad, but yet Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is allowed to travel around Indonesia telling muslims to kill non muslims - isnt this much worse than FITNA???
Now Abu Bakar Ba'asyir has just addressed an entire village in west java, telling them to bomb westerners - is this not worse than a cartoon of mohammad?
Nobody ever mentions him, but my Indinesian friends often mention the writers of the cartoon of mohammad and FITNA, quoting how insensitive western culture is. Its seems people here only see what they want to see. Thats a real shame
Heriminto — Sun, 11/16/2008 - 9:15pm
If you don't understand anything, never do like professor!
If you don't know what the Islamic views and thoughts, never talk anything about it.
Bule (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 4:21pm
Dont waste all the ammo on the three but save a bullet for Abu Bakar Ba'asyir
Mbantua (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 11:18am
Lesson number one: If you commit acts of terrorism, you will be caught and you will be shot.