Posted on 11/08/2008 11:25:50 PM PST by naturalman1975
The Indonesian Attorney-General's Office has confirmed that the three Bali bombers have been executed by firing squad for their involvement in the 2002 bombings which killed more than 202 people, including 88 Australians.
A spokesman for the Attorney-General, Jasman Pandjaitan, said all three men have been declared dead.
Earlier news emerged from inside the Bali bombers' prison on Nusakambangan Island in Central Java that the three men - Imam Samudra, 38, Amrozi, 47, and Mukhlas, 48 - were killed.
All three were shot at the same time by three separate firing squads about 12:15am (local time), before a medical team declared them dead.
The bombers' families have also acknowledged the deaths of the three men.
Their bodies have been cleaned and wrapped by family members in preparation for their burials in their home villages in East and West Java later today.
Local news websites are reporting that the three men were driven 10 minutes away to an isolated area within an abandoned prison called Nirbaya, which is also on the island.
The three men were sentenced over the attacks five years ago.
A helicopter will take the remains of Imam Samudra to his village of Serang in West Java.
A brother of Amrozi says his brother is a martyr.
"We confirm that our brother has passed away. Now his soul is flying with the green birds into heaven," he said.
The executions have been repeatedly delayed by a series of failed appeals and most recently, by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in September.
The bombers said they carried out the attacks in retaliation for US-led aggression in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In a statement issued by their lawyers before the executions, the men said their blood would "become the light for the faithful ones and burning hellfire for the infidels and hypocrites".
In an earlier interview, the militants said their only regret was that some Muslims were killed in the blasts.
The two explosions on Bali's Kuta strip on October 12, 2002 - one at Paddy's Bar and the other at the Sari Club - dealt a severe blow to the island's tourist industry.
Travel warning
Yesterday Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the Government was reissuing its travel warning for Indonesia.
People are being warned to reconsider any travel to Indonesia and Bali due to the possibility of reprisal attacks.
Mr Smith says the Government is aware that a large number of Australian students are planning to go to Indonesia for schoolies week from mid-November.
He says they want students and parents to be aware that reprisals could occur.
"The executions could prompt a strong reaction," he said.
"We continue to receive credible information that terrorists could be planning attacks in Indonesia.
"You should exercise great care, particularly around locations such as beaches, bars, malls and other venues associated with foreign interests."
The attacks by the south-east Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) were intended to deter foreigners as part of a drive to make Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, part of a larger Islamic caliphate.
Although there have been no major bomb attacks since 2005, Indonesia is still considered at risk.
The Indonesian anti-terrorist unit, Detachment 88, was involved in a series of raids last year that authorities say rounded up the heads of JI and its military wing.
How about just dumping him in shark infested waters alive.
Thank you for listing those honours, I had never heard of the stories (except for Kim Patra who wrote a book about her experiences) and it’s inspiring to read them. Just so as not to confuse our American friends it should be pointed out that “thongs” are not what they are in the States but are in fact light, plastic, flip flop sandals, common footwear in Bali but hardly the sort of thing you’d want to be wearing when pulling people out of burning buildings.
Are those first two awards Australian replacements for the British George Cross and George Medal? If so as you rightly point out they are the equivalent of the Victoria Cross, awarded for valour beyond the call of duty the only difference being that it is courage not actually in the face of the enemy.
More or less, yes.
Until 1975, Australians received imperial honours - Honours, Orders, decorations, and medals under the same system as the United Kingdom. Australians remain eligible for such awards, and there are still many Australians who hold them, but since 1975, the Australian Honours system has been in operation, and Australians normally receive such awards in preference to British honours.
Because of its special place in history, the Victoria Cross was retained as the supreme award for valour in the presence of the enemy - technically speaking a new award 'The Victoria Cross for Australia' was created, but it is identical in all respects to the imperial VC. No VCs for Australia have yet been awarded (the last Australian to receive the VC being Warrant Officer Keith Payne in 1969).
All other imperial bravery decorations were replaced with Australian decorations.
The George Cross (GC) was replaced by the Cross of Valour (CV).
The George Medal (GM) was replaced by the Star of Courage (SC).
The Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM) was replaced the the Bravery Medal (BM).
The Queen's Commendation for Bravery was replaced by the Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Here's another good candidate for the firing squad.
Sadly, I wouldn't bet on this anymore.
Three less Obama supporters. We need to expose the Left and their support of Terrorism and anti-Americanism, and the photos and memorials help.
Three fewer terrorists; good riddance.
Hey Israel—you could learn a lesson from Indonesia in how to deal with terrorists.
We have three more good sand Nazi terrorists.
I was thinking the same thing - I’m thinking this jerk is hell getting his eyes pecked out by buzzards than “flying with green birds”.
Thanks for your service. Stay safe.
Thanks for putting names to the fallen and the heroes.
A moment of silence for the fallen.
Salute to the heroes.
It’s good to know we are rid of a few more cowards who do harm to the innocent.
In times like these, news of terrorists being shot through the heart are especially comforting.
bump
AMEN!
Is that woman in the top photo Hannabeth Luke?
Happy Veterans Day, brother.
Thank you for serving. Good luck, good hunting and a safe return.
It is - taking 17 year old Tom Singer out of the flames.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.