http://smh.com.au/news/world/dont-execute-bali-bombers-jakarta-warned/2005/10/18/1129401256145.html
Don't execute Bali bombers, Jakarta warned By Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent in Denpasar October 19, 2005 Jakarta came under pressure last night to spare the lives of terrorists after the head of the original Bali bombing investigation warned of a backlash if the bombers are executed. In a warning aimed at Australia as much as Indonesia, Bali police chief I Made Mangku Pastika said: "Are we capable of coping with the backlash? Are we ready to have the execution in Bali or outside Bali?" The call from the general, who rose to prominence during the hunt for the 2002 bombers, came as police claimed to have uncovered a significant lead in the investigation into the latest attack. General Pastika said he understood the anger in Bali after the second attacks and "why some people stage demonstrations to expedite the execution of Amrozi". But he said he hoped authorities would consider several factors before responding. "You may be upset, but you have to remain rational. You have to calculate each step. We should not be controlled by anger and vengeance." The comments from General Pastika, a renowned straight shooter who won the respect of Australian police for his handling of the initial investigation, reflect alarm at the rising anger in Bali. He clearly believes executions could harm the broader counter-terrorism campaign. It is also a message to Australians who are demanding a tougher anti-terrorism stand from Indonesia. Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Mukhlas have welcomed their sentences, with Amrozi stating he would become a martyr. Other terrorists sentenced to death over their part in the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta last year have claimed their deaths would be avenged. A spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, said "sentencing and the carrying out of sentences is entirely a matter for the Indonesians". Earlier, General Pastika attempted to calm rowdy demonstrations demanding the execution of Amrozi and the two other bombers on death row. The anger erupted after the latest October 1 attacks. He claimed terrorists might be behind text messages urging Balinese to take revenge for the latest bombings on Muslims from other parts of Indonesia. The warning came as police refused to comment on reports that Indonesian terrorist networks had recruited another 35 suicide bombers. However, intelligence sources suggested the reports were correct. Authorities are concerned that further bombings could be imminent, senior sources confirmed. Protesters have stormed Bali's jail demanding Amrozi and fellow bombers Imam Samudra and Mukhlas be executed immediately to deter future terrorist attacks. The trio were moved to Java, but authorities in Bali have pledged to expedite the executions in the face of public outrage. General Pastika also expressed concerns about the text messages circulating on the island warning Balinese would soon take revenge on non-Balinese. "I hope Balinese people will not buy such a rumour. It is possible it is spread by the terrorist group who wishes to create unrest in Bali." Police are defending claims the investigation into the latest bombings has stalled. "We have found a lead, but, sorry, we cannot as yet disclose it to the public or the press," said the national police chief, General Sutanto. He appealed to Islamic teachers in Java to help fight terrorists by informing police of any suspicious behaviour from their students. "We must be alert against possible exploitation of the students by the terrorists and the possibility of Islamic boarding schools being used as a hiding place." He confirmed that one suspect with several identity cards was being questioned in Sulawesi. Three men questioned in Denpasar had been released. ------------------------ Yahoo! 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