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Bali bombers plea - 'Bullets might hurt them'
# Lawyers for bombers say executions amount to torture# Plan to launch fresh legal challenge next week Bali bombing victim's dad: 'I'm not surprised' LAWYERS for three Islamic militants on death row over the 2002 Bali bombings today flagged a new legal challenge to their impending executions. Defence lawyer Mahendradatta foreshadowed a Constitutional Court challenge next week, arguing the convicted terrorists could suffer unnecessary pain if they do not die immediately when the lethal punishment is carried out. It is seen as another attempt to delay the executions of Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra, who could be executed at any time over the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people including 88 Australians. The three will face an Indonesian firing squad, and would be shot a second time if the first bullet does not kill them instantly, Mahendradatta said. "We are not closing our eyes to the possibility of Amrozi being executed,'' he told reporters. ''(But) there's time when the convicted will feel pain until he is shot a second time. "Amrozi was sentenced to death, not to be tortured. "On Tuesday or Wednesday at least we will submit a material challenge to the Constitutional Court about this law.'' The comments could spark anger among families of the 202 people killed in the Bali bombings organised by the three terrorists, who have never expressed remorse for their non-Muslim victims. "We will seek the execution without pain - we have to encourage the government and legislators to find a way to execute without pain,'' he added. A spokesman for the Attorney-General's Office would not say whether it would delay proceedings. "The law has been applied and ... the executions will still be based on that law,'' he said. Lawyers for the three have previously launched legal challenges when their executions have drawn near, resulting in delays. Security is tight around their island prison home as authorities continue with their preparations for the execution. Bambang Winahyo, the head of Central Java's Justice Office, said authorities were expecting about 15 supporters of the Islamic hardliners to try to reach Nusakambangan Island, off Central Java. "We are coordinating with police to guard the Wijayapura port,'' he said. "Only those who have a relationship with Amrozi, like their families and lawyers, will be allowed in. "The others cannot - journalists also are not allowed to see them.'' He said no extra security was needed "because the prison itself is already in the middle of the sea''. Bali prosecutors had visited Batu prison to again ask whether the three would seek clemency from the president but were told by the head of the facility that "the three of them have rejected clemency'', he added. Posted by: Oztralian 2008-07-29 |
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