10 Nov 2008

Bali executions: travel precautions issued

7:01 am on 10 November 2008

New Zealanders are being advised to avoid non-urgent travel to Indonesia after the executions of the three Bali bombers on Sunday.

They were shot by a firing squad at 12.15am local time for their role in the nightclub bombings on 12 October, 2002; which killed 202 people including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, 26 Britons and three New Zealanders in the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar.

Hundreds more were wounded.

The three bombers were sentenced to death five years ago.

Security forces are on alert across Indonesia amid fears of reprisal attacks.

Police clashed with supporters when the bombers' bodies were returned for burial in their home villages in Java.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to central Sulawesi, and non-essential travel to other parts of Indonesia, because of possible reprisal attacks.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Sunday that there is "credible information that terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia."

He told ABC Television that Sunday was a sad day for Australia and particularly for the victims' families.

However, he said the executions would bring closure to some of the victims' families.