11/03/2008, 00.00
INDONESIA
Send to a friend

Jakarta, maximum alert ahead of imminent execution of Bali terrorists

by Mathias Hariyadi
The three terrorists sentenced for the 2002 bomb attacks file a new appeal with the Supreme Court, but the Attorney-General's Office dismisses any talk of further delays. Threats and fears of retaliation are rising.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The three Islamic terrorists convicted in the 2002 Bali bombings filed a new appeal today with the Supreme Court, but the authorities announced that there will be no further delay in their imminent execution. Meanwhile security measures are being stepped up for fear of retaliatory attacks.

The request on behalf of Amrozi, Ali Ghufron and Imam Samudra (pictured) rested on their claim that they hadn't been properly informed of the rejection of their previous appeal. In response, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Office said the bombers had exhausted all legal options and there was no change to the execution plans.

The three men were sentenced to death for the bombings in Bali's tourist strip of Kuta Beach that killed 202 people, 88 of them Australians.

Although the date for the execution is not known, police have increased security around Cilacap harbour which connects southern Java to the high-security prison on Nusakambangan Island where the bombers are being held.

Nusakambangan Prison chief Bambang Winahyo said the three men appear to be calm and ready to die, in line with their repeated claims that they want to be “martyrs” for the cause of a South-East Asian caliphate.

As of today relatives and lawyers of the three are barred from visiting them in a further sign that the execution is imminent.

The authorities are taking no chances with the security of high-risk targets like the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after threats of retaliatory attacks were made in the past few days.

Shopping centres, ports, embassies, Christian churches are also under tight control.

In Poso (Central Sulawesi), scene of intense Christian-Muslim sectarian clashes a few years ago, police found bomb-making material.

The state-owned Pertamina Oil Company has also imposed maximum security measures after a plot to blow up its fuel depot in Plumpang in North Jakarta was foiled.

Meanwhile protest is growing in the country. Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid –a new Islamic organisation set up by the radical militant Abu Bakar Baasyir—publicly condemned the execution.

During the trial the three bombers also issued threats, saying that Muslim groups would carry out retaliatory attacks.

In light of the situation the Australian government yesterday issued a travel advisory warning Australians not to travel to Indonesia.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah reacted saying that the Australian travel warning was unnecessary as Indonesian security officers would guarantee the safety of foreign nationals.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Final preparations for the execution of Bali bombers
24/07/2008
Bali on maximum alert for fear of attacks
22/10/2008
"Not repentant and never will,” say three Bali bombers whose execution is near
14/10/2008
In Jakarta Christian priests and activists first target of Islamic terrorists
29/10/2008
Abu Bakar Baasyir free to fight for Sharia
14/06/2006


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”