Astini faces execution

Astini faces execution

SURABAYA: Astini, a 49-year old woman on death row for
multiple murders in Surabaya, East Java, will likely face the
police firing squad this week, officials said here on Wednesday.

"The execution will be carried out in the near future. I
cannot specify the date. God willing, this week," said Surabaya
High Prosecutor's Office head AF Darmawan.

Surabaya prison chief Wibowo Joko Harjono confirmed the plan
to execute Astini this week. "She arrived here on Tuesday at
around 11 p.m. from the Lowok Waru women's prison in Malang (East
Java)."

Prosecutors said Astini's execution had originally been
scheduled for after Idul Fitri in November.

Astini was found guilty eight years ago of murdering and
mutilating three women on separate occasions between August 1993
and September 1995. She killed the three because they were unable
to repay their debts to her.

Indonesia executed three convicts for drug trafficking last
year.

Namsong Sirilak, a 32-year-old woman, and Saelow Prasert, a
62-year-old man, both Thai nationals, were executed separately on
Oct. 1. Another convict, who was sentenced to death for smuggling
12 kilograms of heroin, Indian national Ayodhay Prasad Chaubey,
was executed in August. The Medan District Court found the three
guilty and sentenced them to death in 1996. --Antara