Posted on 09/13/2005 9:09:18 AM PDT by Brooklyn Kid
Death for embassy bombing ringleader
Rob Taylor
14sep05
AN Indonesian Muslim militant will be put to death for his role in last year's suicide bombing that killed 11 people at the Australian embassy in Jakarta.
It was the toughest anti-terror punishment handed down by an Indonesian court since the Bali nightclub bombings three years ago.
The trial's three judges found that Iwan Darmawan, also known as Rois, recruited and psychologically groomed the suicide bomber who detonated a 580kg truck bomb in front of the embassy on September 9, 2004.
They said Rois acted as right-hand man for the fugitive mastermind behind the bombing, Malaysian engineer Azahari Husin, and his compatriot, suicide bomb recruiter Noordin Top.
The judges said Rois had earlier surveyed the embassy site, planned the attacks and bought the explosives.
The resulting carnage and deaths of 10 innocent people as well as the bomber sparked fear across Indonesia, the judges told a packed courtroom.
Rois had denied any links with terrorism. But the judges repeated allegations that the attack was funded by Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and was carried out "to avenge the slaughter of Muslims by America and its allies in Iraq".
"There is no leniency for the defendant and what is worse, the defendant did not show any remorse," chief judge Rocki Panjaitan said. "We punish the defendant with death."
A defiant Rois, described as a senior field co-ordinator for terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, punched the air as the verdict was delivered and shouted "God is great".
A handful of friends and supporters broke into song, pleading "rise up warriors, Islam unified must be glorified".
The only remorse he showed during yesterday's three-hour hearing came as the judges read harrowing descriptions of the injuries that killed the Indonesians – mainly guards, passers-by and people visiting the embassy.
As the grisly toll was read out, the skullcap-wearing Rois hung his head.
But later in a holding cell at the back of the court, Rois recovered his composure and said he was not afraid to face the firing squad.
"My punishment is based on Satan's law," he said, linking his conviction with the US-led war in Iraq. "Just stop oppressing our Muslim people, you infidels. Islamic revenge will always exist."
He said that when the West bombs Muslims, "we will bomb back".
In a decision which will be welcomed by foreign countries who are anxious for Indonesia to crack down harder on extremists, the judges also urged Indonesia to intensify the fight against terrorists.
Rois's lawyer Achmad Michdan said the death sentence would be appealed.
Rois was the first militant sentenced to death since the main Bali bomb ringleaders, Imam Samudra (aka Abdul Aziz), Amrozi bin Nurhasyim and Ali Ghufron, were placed on death row in Denpasar.
In Canberra, the Government said the sentence demonstrated Indonesia's commitment to fight terrorism.
"These convictions show Indonesia's determination to prosecute those involved directly or indirectly in terrorism," said a spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile.
Indonesia will let him "escape".
Does he still get the 72 virgins even if someone else kills him? Or does he only get like 36?
Firing squad? That's humane. Back home we have the electric chair. :o)
Nah. Let the punishment fit the crime. Tie him to an engineer stake in an open field; right next to a remotely detonated 155mm artillery shell.
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