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.