Benteng Reges

Supreme Court turns down defence request, saying death sentence is final. Many demonstrate in favour of Tibo and his fellow co-accused, but others call for their immediate execution.

According to the latest statement of Abdul Rahman Saleh, the execution of Tibo and his friends will take place before the month is out. The three men were convicted of violence in Poso in 2000. The parish priest in Tentena refuses to accompany the men when they face the firing squad. But the presence of a priest is required by law to carry out the sentence.

The office of the State Attorney General said the decision was taken because "important papers" were missing. For Indonesians, this means "there were specific orders from above". Sit-ins for the three Catholics are multiplying in the capital and in Sulawesi.

Religious and political leaders call for changes to new decrees ; they tell AsiaNews that the new regulations are absurd, invasive red tape and unconstitutional.

The purported reason was the lack of a permit to hold religious activities in a private house. The Pentecostal pastor said: "My church is older than this law, it doesn't require permission. If you shut it down, tell me where members of my community can go to pray".

The families of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus "Domi" da Silva and Marinus Riwu, who were sentenced to death for their alleged role in the 2000 Poso violence, ask President Susilo for clemency. Their lawyers insist new evidence invalidates the charges.

Yesterday, the bishop of Manado, northern Sulawesi, visited Tibo and his friends in prison, as "special envoy" of the Vatican. Benedict XVI invited the three convicts, victims of an unfair trial, to pray the rosary with him during this difficult time.

The trial is scheduled two months from now and the accused risk the death penalty. In last October's attacks 23 people died on the Indonesian island. I am sorry that only Muslims were amongst the victims, says one of the three suspects.

The Palu Court has reviewed the case and referred it to the Supreme Court. But the police of Central Sulawesi insist the execution of the three men is "imminent".

A local priest told AsiaNews about the incident. The assailants "came from outside", and when informed about the case, the police "advised" the Catholic community "not to make too much fuss about the matter".

Last weekend police announced the imminent execution of Tibo and his companions. The Catholic community of the world's largest Muslim country has added its voice to international campaigns on their behalf.

Sahal Alamry is being interrogated for links to one of Indonesia's most wanted men, Noordin Top. He teaches at a school thought to be involved in the beheading of three Christian women in Poso.