From correspondents in Cilacap, Indonesia | November 07, 2008
THREE condemned Bali bombers could be allowed out of their isolation cells for Friday prayers today after yet another opportunity for their executions passed.
A security build-up on the bombers' prison island in Central Java, and the rallying of supporters in the men's home towns and in Jakarta, had fuelled speculation that the men might have been executed overnight.
And yesterday the Detikcom news website said the bombers would be shot at 3am local time today (7am AEDT), but the hour passed without word from authorities.
The bombers have traditionally been allowed out of their cells for Friday prayers and may be afforded that opportunity again today.
It has been reported that Mukhlas, his younger brother Amrozi, and Imam Samudra have undergone final health checks in preparation for their executions.
And yesterday, all workers not directly employed at the bombers' prison on Nusakambangan Island were ordered to leave.
About 100 chanting militants descended on the offices of the national human rights body as the bombers' lawyers met officials inside to demand access for the families. The radicals condemned the executions and praised the bombers as "holy warriors". They carried banners pledging to follow the bombers' path of jihad or "holy war" and warning that "hell" awaits the executioners.
A total of 202 people, including 88 Australians, died in the bombings Mukhlas, Amrozi and Samudra helped carry out.
The Indonesian government has said only that the bombers will be put to death by firing squad in "early November". Terrorism experts have warned that the delay risks undermining the Indonesian government's credibility in the fight against terrorism.
"This slow execution is a sign the government is not being strict in combating terrorism and law enforcement in Indonesia," former Indonesian National Human Rights commissioner Sholahuddin Wahid said.
"If this execution is postponed again, the government's credibility will decrease."
Terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna, of Singapore's International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, agreed.
"The government should be strong (and) carry out the executions. Not to do so would be a huge mistake ... it would be a big victory for the terrorists."
As time drags on, the security situation appears to be worsening.
In the past few days, there have been death threats against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as well as bomb threats against the Australian and US embassies in Jakarta.
The delay has also allowed dozens of religious extremists to gather in Tenggulun, the east Java village that was home to Amrozi and Mukhlas.
The bombers' supporters relished in the media attention yesterday, repeating their jihadist message to journalists. Around 20 radicals from a group headed by radical preacher Abu Bakar Bashir, who is linked to the Jemaah Islamiah group blamed for the Bali attacks, angrily denounced the executions and exhorted Muslims to "martyrdom".
Despite the lengthy preparations, the families have not received permission to pay a final visit to the bombers.
Rights body chairman Ifdhal Kasim said the prisoners had a right to meet their families before they faced the firing squad.
"A prisoner awaiting execution must be given a chance to meet their families," he said after meeting the defence lawyers, promising to take up the matter with prosecutors.
The bombers have said they want to die to become "martyrs" for their dream of creating an Islamic utopia across Southeast Asia.
THREE condemned Bali bombers could be allowed out of their isolation cells for Friday prayers today after yet another opportunity for their executions passed.
A security build-up on the bombers' prison island in Central Java, and the rallying of supporters in the men's home towns and in Jakarta, had fuelled speculation that the men might have been executed overnight.
And yesterday the Detikcom news website said the bombers would be shot at 3am local time today (7am AEDT), but the hour passed without word from authorities.
The bombers have traditionally been allowed out of their cells for Friday prayers and may be afforded that opportunity again today.
It has been reported that Mukhlas, his younger brother Amrozi, and Imam Samudra have undergone final health checks in preparation for their executions.
And yesterday, all workers not directly employed at the bombers' prison on Nusakambangan Island were ordered to leave.
About 100 chanting militants descended on the offices of the national human rights body as the bombers' lawyers met officials inside to demand access for the families. The radicals condemned the executions and praised the bombers as "holy warriors". They carried banners pledging to follow the bombers' path of jihad or "holy war" and warning that "hell" awaits the executioners.
A total of 202 people, including 88 Australians, died in the bombings Mukhlas, Amrozi and Samudra helped carry out.
The Indonesian government has said only that the bombers will be put to death by firing squad in "early November". Terrorism experts have warned that the delay risks undermining the Indonesian government's credibility in the fight against terrorism.
"This slow execution is a sign the government is not being strict in combating terrorism and law enforcement in Indonesia," former Indonesian National Human Rights commissioner Sholahuddin Wahid said.
"If this execution is postponed again, the government's credibility will decrease."
Terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna, of Singapore's International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, agreed.
"The government should be strong (and) carry out the executions. Not to do so would be a huge mistake ... it would be a big victory for the terrorists."
As time drags on, the security situation appears to be worsening.
In the past few days, there have been death threats against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as well as bomb threats against the Australian and US embassies in Jakarta.
The delay has also allowed dozens of religious extremists to gather in Tenggulun, the east Java village that was home to Amrozi and Mukhlas.
The bombers' supporters relished in the media attention yesterday, repeating their jihadist message to journalists. Around 20 radicals from a group headed by radical preacher Abu Bakar Bashir, who is linked to the Jemaah Islamiah group blamed for the Bali attacks, angrily denounced the executions and exhorted Muslims to "martyrdom".
Despite the lengthy preparations, the families have not received permission to pay a final visit to the bombers.
Rights body chairman Ifdhal Kasim said the prisoners had a right to meet their families before they faced the firing squad.
"A prisoner awaiting execution must be given a chance to meet their families," he said after meeting the defence lawyers, promising to take up the matter with prosecutors.
The bombers have said they want to die to become "martyrs" for their dream of creating an Islamic utopia across Southeast Asia.
Source:The Australian
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