Bali bombers closer to execution

Indonesia may soon execute the three men given death sentences for organising the October 2002 Bali bombings. The attacks on the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar in Kuta killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Officials from the Attorney-General's Office (AGO) have visited the families of the three men to ask if they intended to seek clemency on behalf of their relatives.

Imam Samudra, Amrozi and his older brother Ali Ghufron (also known as Mukhlas) were sentenced to death in 2003 for their roles in the plot.

The men have said they would not ask the President for clemency but would answer only to God.

Xinhua reports that a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Office, Masyhudi Ridwan, said one of the families was not going to lodge an appeal.

"The family of Imam Samudra has confirmed they would not lodge a final appeal. But we still need confirmation from the families of Amrozi and Ali Ghufron."

According to Melbourne newspaper The Herald Sun, Mashudi Ridwan said the Indonesian Attorney-General was waiting on a report from Bali prosecutors about their meetings.

"If there is already certainty that they do not want to apply for clemency we will begin the process of the execution," he was quoted as saying.

The newspaper said lawyers for the three men said there was no legal barrier to the executions going ahead, but it was usual to wait until all avenues of appeal were exhausted.

The men could also apply for a judicial review of their convictions, on the grounds that they were convicted under anti-terrorism laws passed after the crime was committed.

In October 2005 Balinese protesters called for quick executions for the three, outraged at three further suicide bombings on the tourist island.

Following protests outside Bali's Kerobokan Prison the three were moved from Bali to a prison in Central Java.