Jakarta (AsiaNews) Attorney Genera Abdul Rahman Saleh has once again confirmed that he will not cancel the death penalty for three Indonesian Catholics accused of involvement in the inter-religious conflicts in Poso during 2000-2001. Speaking in Jakarta he said "We cannot cancel the death sentence of which the decision had been legally supported by Supreme Court and the President has also rejected their clemency,".
Saleh elaborated that any further legal moves made by Padma's lawyers will be no use since the death penalty decision is clear and legal. Just days ago members of Padma, convinced that the three on charges are the victims of political complotting, requested the cancellation of the sentence and that judges hear testimonies from new witnesses. He also underestimated any legal movement made by Tibo Cs by unveiling other potential provocateurs including the 16 suspect's involvement in Poso sectarian clashes in 2001".
According to Saleh, "Such a new testimony, to my personal opinion, is only a trick (made by Tibo cs) to distract law enforcers from possibly suspending the execution. "Why- he enquired- did they not unveil the involvement of those potential provocateurs during their trial". The attorney general did however indicate that the AGO will convey the new legal proof to police to investigate.
Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marinus Riwu were sentenced to death in 2002. November last Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono rejected their appeal for clemency; immediately after this the Attorney General's Office stated that they would be put to death "soon". Since then representatives of the local Church and human rights activists have been asking for the cancellation of the sentence which they maintain is "unjust" and motivated also by pressure placed on the court by Islamic fundamentalists.
The Attorney General's Office (Ago) is authorized to carry out the death sentence. Tibo and his companions will be put to death by the central Sulawesi Ago.
