Gus Dur asks for delay of Poso executions<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Former president Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid has joined the
\ngrowing number of calls for the president to delay the execution
\nof three inmates on death row for their roles in several murders
\nin Poso, Central Sulawesi five years ago.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur said the delay was needed to allow for further
\ninvestigation into other people, including the masterminds behind
\nthe bloodshed involving Muslims and Christians in the conflict-
\nprone Central Sulawesi town.<\/p>\n
The respected Muslim cleric met with a group of religious
\nleaders from Poso, including Rev. Rinaldy Damanik, at the
\nheadquarters of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest
\nMuslim organization, Antara reported on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, also a former NU chairman, demanded the establishment
\nof an independent fact-finding team to uncover the truth behind
\nthe mass killings, including the masterminds.<\/p>\n
Over 1,000 people were killed in the Muslim-Christian fighting
\nbetween 2000 and 2001. A peace deal was signed in the South
\nSulawesi town of Malino in December 2001, following talks
\nfacilitated by then coordinating minister for people's welfare
\nJusuf Kalla.<\/p>\n
Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marinus Riwu are now on
\ndeath row after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono denied
\nclemency for them, which was their last hope to escape execution
\nafter the Supreme Court upheld their death penalties.<\/p>\n
Tibo had previously given to the police the names of 16 other
\npeople involved in the killings who are still at large.<\/p>\n
A group activists and religious leaders, including Muslim
\nleaders, have demanded a delay to the execution, saying they
\nbelieved Tibo and friends were not the masterminds of the
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Palu Police chief Brig. Gen. Oegroseno said he had
\nreceived a letter from the Central Sulawesi Prosecutors Office to
\nready the firing squad team for the execution.<\/p>\n
\"But we have not yet decided on the team, the timing and the
\nplace (for the execution). I think we'll let them celebrate
\nChristmas and the new year first,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-asks-for-delay-of-poso-executions-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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