3 Nov 2008

Execution of Bali bombers awaited

6:08 am on 3 November 2008

Text messages have been circulating among Australians in Indonesia, warning them to take care ahead of the expected execution of the Bali bombers.

The arrival of helicopters at the trio's prison island in Central Java has increased speculation they are about to face the firing squad.

The Bali bombings on 12 October, 2002, killed 202 people, including 88 Australians and three New Zealanders.

The helicopters will be used to transport the bodies of Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Mukhlas to their home villages.

A text message from a well known ex-pat organisation warns Australians to stay away from law courts, economic sites and entertainment areas from 3am, local time (9am Monday, NZ Time).

The bombers have publicly called for their deaths to be avenged - and Indonesian authorites are on high alert for retaliatory attacks.

Last month, Indonesia's Constitutional Court rejected defence arguments that they should be beheaded instead of being executed by firing squad.