26 Oct 2008

Bali bombers to face firing squad in November

8:53 pm on 26 October 2008

Three Islamic militants will be shot dead early next month for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people.

The bombers will be put to death on Nusakambangan Island, off central Java, where their high-security jail is located.

The Attorney General did not believe there were valid grounds for any further legal appeals by Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra.

The three men were sentenced to die for playing lead roles in the Bali nightclub bombings, which claimed 88 Australians and three New Zealanders, in October 2002.

They claim they are ready to die, but that others will take revenge if their executions are carried out.

Challenges to ruling

A lawyer for the bombers, Wirawan Adnan, is still hoping for a further appeal, saying there was never a proper trial.

Earlier this week, Indonesia's Constitutional Court rejected a side challenge by the bombers, who claimed that death by firing squad was unconstitutional and amounted to torture.

They said it was cruel and inhumane because they may not die immediately.

But the court reaffirmed the method of execution used in Indonesia, saying no execution method could be guaranteed to be pain-free.

Travel warning for Australians

Australians are being told to check official travel advice before deciding whether to travel to Bali, ahead of the executions.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated its travel advice for Indonesia, warning the executions would compound an already significant terrorism risk.