The Jakarta Post, 9/22/2006 2:03:27 AM
Christians executed for 2000 massacre of Muslims
PALU, Central Sulawesi (JP): Three Christian militants convicted for the massacre of
hundreds of Muslims in 2000 were executed in the early hours on Friday, a senior
police officer said.
The officer, who declined to be identified, confirmed that the execution of Fabianus
Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marinus Riwu, was carried out at 1.20 am local time.
Their bodies were then taken to the Bhayangkara police hospital for autopsy, he said.
No further details were available, including the location of the execution, usually by a
firing squad.
The three men had exhausted all legal channels for reprieve, including a request for
clemency which was rejected by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Their last ditch attempt, for a case review, by citing new evidence -- that they had the
names of the masterminds of the massacre -- was ignored, though it bought them
time of about one month.
The Vatican as well as local church leaders had also asked for clemency.
Fabianus and his two accomplices were convicted for leading the massacre of about
200 Muslims at the height of the sectarian conflict in Poso, pitting Muslims and
Christians.
Relatives and friends had held an all night prayers in Palu on Thursday.
Police in the meantime had maintained vigilance throughout the province. There have
been no reports of protests or unrests on Thursday. (**)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
