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The Bali Bombers' Execution
November 10, 2008 11:06 AM
By Margaret Conley, ABC News, Indonesia
It was the worst terrorist attack in Indonesia’s history.
On a Saturday night in 2002, a suicide bomber walked into Paddy's nightclub in the tourist area of Kuta, Bali, and set off a bomb attached to his vest. Shortly afterward, a nearby car bomb exploded outside.
The surrounding area was devastated and 202 people were killed -- including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians and seven Americans. A memorial listing the names and nationalities of those killed now stands where Paddy's once stood on Legian Street.
Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Ali Ghufron were convicted of the bombings and had been on death row for more than five years. Unrepentant, they wished to die as martyrs.
On Saturday shortly after midnight, after several previous delays, the three men were executed in Central Java, Indonesia.
Their bodies were returned by helicopter to their families in their hometowns and, as is Muslim tradition, were buried within 24 hours.
Haji Chozin, the brother of convicted militant Amrozi, told AP Television, “We confirm that our brother has passed away. Now his soul is flying with the green birds into heaven.”
Though many are relieved that the executions are finally over, little in the lives of survivors and victims’ family members has changed.
“This morning was a bit of an empty feeling when I finally found out that it had happened,” bombing survivor Erik De Haart told Australia’s Channel 7. “It was kind of difficult to reconcile that yeah now they’re finally dead, but nothing has really changed.”
Brian Deegan’s son Joshua, according to APTN, was visiting Bali in celebration of a premiership with his Australian Football League team at the time.
“It’s capital punishment that I’m against," Deegan said to the Australian Broadcasting Corp., "and the thought that it is occurring somehow in connection to myself, my family is abhorrent to me. The deaths of these individuals will never bring back my beautiful son.”
There is concern of possible retaliation and demonstrations across Indonesia, particularly in Bali, by those opposing the executions.
The New York Times reports that nearly 1,000 Islamic hardliners shouted "God is great" in Arabic, threatening revenge when two of the convicted militant's bodies were returned to their hometown in Tenggulun, East Java.
Though much has been done to protect the region against future attacks, authorities in Indonesia warn that the country is still at risk.
More about the Bali bombers: The Blotter with Brian Ross
Read more blogs from Margaret Conley
Read more World View blogs from ABC News
November 10, 2008 in Margaret Conley | Permalink | User Comments (4)
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Bali Bombing supporters are enemies of the United States. Obama will not invade the wrong country, these haters should denounce terrorism before they are labeled terrorists themselves. With Obama in office, the USA will truly defend itself from terrorist aggressors( wherever they may be ). Americans will not forget the attacks in Bali , and will stand united to deter any future threat.
Peace is our first choice !
Posted by: John | Nov 10, 2008 12:00:05 PM
Doesn't that skyblue colored raghead looks like B. O.
Just a thought..
Posted by: warrior | Nov 10, 2008 1:28:55 PM
doesn't warrior look like the big brown dookie that fell out of my butt this morning? Just a thought..
Posted by: Jazz | Nov 11, 2008 9:32:08 AM
KILL 'EM ALL!!!!!
Posted by: STAN | Nov 12, 2008 2:51:20 PM
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