- Title: INDONESIA: Muslim hardliners protest against Bali bomber's imminent execution
- Date: 4th November 2008
- Summary: (W2) LAMONGAN, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA (NOVEMBER 4, 2008) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF MUSLIM BOARDING SCHOOL AT LAMONGAN WHERE AMROZI AND HIS BROTHER HOMETOWN PROTESTERS OUTSIDE MOSQUE PROTESTER WEARING MASK PROTESTER SHOUTING "THIS IS OUR REJECTION TO EXECUTION PLANNED FOR OUR BROTHER AMROZI AND HIS FRIENDS" PROTESTER'S FIST PROTEST PEOPLE HAVING A WASHING RITUAL BEFORE PRAYING MA
- Embargoed: 19th November 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
- Reuters ID: LVACV71WVRHWURHPUYFIJB7953TD
- Story Text: Indonesian Muslim hardliners protested in East Java on Tuesday (November 04) against the death penalty for three Bali bombers as police tightened security around the maximum security Nusakambangan prison where the militants are awaiting their execution.
Imam Samudra, 38, Mukhlas, 48, and his brother Amrozi, 46, who are members of the militant Islamist group Jemaah Islamiah, were sentenced to death for their role in attacks on two nightclubs in Kuta in 2002 that killed 202 people, including Indonesians and foreign tourists.
They are being held at the death row in Nusakambangan prison in central Java.
However, Muslim hardliners staged a protest against their execution in the Lamongan hometown of Amrozi and Mukhlas when they held special prayers for the convicted militants. However, no one from their family or the village took part in the protest.
The protesters were from the Ansharut Tauhid group led by firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Bashir who was jailed for allegedly being the spiritual leader of the Jemaah Islamiah which took responsibility for the Bali bombings in 2002 that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
The protest was held near a missionary school run by one of Amrozi's brother, Kozin.
"I pray to God, to give them strength and free them from execution," Kozin told reporters.
Some 85 percent of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, are moderates but in the past years a minority hardline group have made an increasing vocal presence.
Meanwhile, police laid down barbed wire, patrol boat and stationed armed officers at the entrance to the port that serves the prison island housing the three men. Some residents said the increased security has affected their daily lives.
"This situation (more people coming to the port) is unusual. Yes, we feel a little bit disturbing. But this is for the sake of security,"
Hartomo Cilacap resident told Reuters Television at the port area.
The Attorney General's office said last Saturday (November 01) the execution day was "very close". Authorities have previously said that all legal avenues have been exhausted. The men will be executed by firing squad. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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