Western Resistance

« Iraq: Islamists Threaten To Kill Christian Hostages | | Russia: Uproar Over "Islamist" Claims in Book on Russian Muslims »

December 2, 2005

Indonesia: Bali Bomb Islamists On Death Row Will Appeal

In a surprise action, three of the individuals who were sentenced to death for their part in the Bali Bombings of 2002 have decided to seek a judicial review of their convictions, appealing against their death sentences, states the Age.

The lawyer for the three individuals, Mr Mahendradatta, announced the decision, which would effectively rule out any chance of any presidential pardon. The lawyer said that the death sentences could not be carried out until the Supreme Court made a decision on the matter.

To lodge the appeal, the three convicted men will provide written affidavits announcing their rejection of a presidential pardon.

The three men are the Jelaah Islamiyah operatives, Imran Samudra (pictured above left), Amrozi and his brother Ali Ghufron, also called Mukhlas. This appeal will be a last resort.

Imran Samudra was convicted on 10 September 2003, and when he was given his sentence, of death by firing squad, he shouted "Allah Akhbar" several times, and as he was escorted away from the courtroom, he shouted for America and Australia to "Go to Hell".

His lack of remorse remains as adamant as ever, which makes the announcement of an appeal strange. The lawyer, Mr Mahendradatta, explains: "if you seek presidential pardon it means you admit your wrongdoing."

Samudra's lack of remorse has led to his book becoming a best-seller. Called "Saya Melawan Teroris" (Me Against Terrorists), it eulogises his life as an Islamist. He appeared on Indonesian television last weekend, where he said that "in any struggle there are victims".

Another person who was on the programme was Ali Ghufron, also called Muhklas. He said he was "truly proud to be a terrorist." Echoing statements made at the time of his 2003 trial, he said "Jihad is the best way to receive blessing in Islam."

Mukhlas had been happy at the time of his sentencing on October 2, 2003. He jumped to his feet and punched the air (pictured, right). However, despite ecstatic reactions, he did announce after the sentence that he would be making an appeal, saying in a statement: "I have made the decision that, because the laws that have been used are not in accordance with my beliefs, I propose to appeal. That is all."

Throughout his court case, Mukhlas waved his arms about, and punched the air (pictured left). His brother in law, Mohammad Nasir bin Abas who was also a Jemaah Islamiyah member, testified against Mukhlas, aka Ali Ghufron.
Both Nasir bin Abas and his sister Paridah Abas who married Mukhlas, have since written books. Nasir's is called "Uncovering Jemaah Islamiyah" and Paridah's tome is entitled "People Say Father is a Terrorist." Nasir Abas has recently been assisting the police by giving information on previous tactics of Jemaah Islamiyah, in the current investigations into the bombings on Bali from October 1 this year.

Mukhlas' younger brother Amrozi was similarly ecstatic upon hearing of his death sentence on August 8, 2003. His reaction is pictured beneath. Another brother to Mukhlas and Amrozi is Ali Imron. He too was convicted of being part of the plot against Bali targets, but only received a life sentence in September, 2003, because he expressed remorse. He too appeared on the programme last weekend, but he said: "What I did in Bali was wrong. Don't follow in my footsteps. Believe me I know, because I have experienced it.."

Amrozi, according to lawyer Mr Mahendradatta, has said that his last wish is to clear the name of Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, who was sentenced for authorising the bomb blasts at Bali in 2002. Mr Mahendradatta is also the lawyer for Abu Bakar Bashir.

During his testimony against Ali Ghufron alias Mukhlas, Mohammad Nasir bin Abas stated that as a Jemaah Islamiyah member, he had gone to Abu Bakar Bashir and asked his if it would be permissable in the eyes of Allah to use a foreigner's bank card and hack into the account to steal money. Abas stated that the cleric replied "We take their blood, so why not take their money as well."

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 2, 2005 7:42 PM

Comments

Post a comment