AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, Tuesday September 19, 2006 3:44 PM
Security tightened as Indonesia readies for Christian executions
PALU, Indonesia (AFP) - Indonesian police have boosted security ahead of the
planned executions of three Christians on death row, a move authorities fear could
spark violence in religiously-divided Central Sulawesi.
Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marianus Riwu were convicted of inciting
violence against Muslims in 2001 but their case has been internationally criticised for
being unfair.
They were due to be executed by firing squad last month but were given a last-minute
reprieve, shortly after Pope Benedict XVI appealed to President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono to grant a stay of execution. Authorities denied any connection.
The trio's lawyer said late Monday that the men had received notice from the provincial
prosecutor that they would be executed Thursday, although there has been no official
confirmation.
Central Sulawesi police chief Badroddin Haiti told reporters that a total of 4,000 men
from the police, military and civilian auxiliary forces were being readied to take part in
an operation to ensure calm in the province.
"All personnel are on alert and if there are unwanted actions, or actions tending
toward anarchy, police will not hesitate to take repressive action," he said.
Muslim groups in Central Sulawesi and elsewhere in the world's most populous
Muslim nation have urged the government to proceed with the executions, but parts of
the Christian minority and other activists have protested strongly.
The executions would be the first to be carried out in Indonesia this year and comes
as three Islamic militants are also on death row for their roles in the 2002 Bali
bombings, which left 202 people dead.
Clashes between Muslims and Christians in 2000 and 2001 left more than 1,000 dead
in Central Sulawesi.
A government-brokered peace accord at the end of 2001 largely ended widespread
unrest, but intermittent violence, largely against non-Muslims, has persisted.
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
|
