Bali youth groups demand execution of Amrozy, Imam Samudra
Bali youth groups demand execution of Amrozy, Imam Samudra
I Wayan Juniartha
The Jakarta Post/Denpasar, Bali
Dozens of young people from Hindu, Muslim and Christian
organizations responded angrily to Saturday's bombings by staging
a noisy protest here on Monday to demand the execution of Amrozy,
Imam Samudra and Ali Gufron, the three main perpetrators of the
2002 Bali bombings.
The demonstrators, grouped under Indonesia's Youth Nationhood
Forum (FKPI) and the Anti-Terrorism Movement, vented their anger
toward what they called the sluggish legal process concerning the
execution of the three men sentenced to death for the first Bali
bombings, which claimed 202 lives.
"It has been three years now. How long do we have to wait to
see justice done for the Balinese and the victims' families,"
Semara Cipta of the FKPI said.
"Those brutal murderers are still being given the chance to
voice their misguided beliefs in prison. We must ensure that they
are no longer able to inspire anybody else," I Wayan Jondra said.
The demonstration was held after three bombs exploded almost
simultaneously on Saturday evening at two seafood restaurants and
a noodle-and-steak cafe, killing at least 22 people and injuring
many others. The attack came just as the resort island was
recovering from the 2002 bombings.
Authorities believe Saturday's bombings were carried out by
three suicide bombers, possibly linked to regional terror group
Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been blamed for previous terrorist
attacks in the country.
The demonstration began at the provincial legislative council
building, before demonstrators marched to the Bali office of the
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. The student demonstrators
were by that time joined by several legislators, including the
council's vice chairman, IBG Suryaatmaja.
"We want to show our support," Suryaatmaja said.
The demonstrators met with the head of the provincial office
of the justice ministry, IG Rata, hurling a barrage of hostile
questions at him.
"I am Balinese and I share your grief over these recent
attacks. However, my authority does not cover this matter. In
fact, the execution of those three bombers is not under the
jurisdiction of the ministry," he explained.
According to Rata, the three convicted bombers had appealed
their death sentences to the Supreme Court and the country's
highest court had yet to rule on the appeals.
"Once the Supreme Court officially rejects the appeals then
the authority to carry out the executions will fall to the
prosecutor's office," he said.
This explanation did not satisfy the demonstrators, who
shouted down Rata before dispersing.