Advertisement

Convicted bombers refuse to seek pardon

JAKARTA, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Three Indonesian men sentenced to death for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings said Thursday they are ready to die and will not seek a pardon.

Amrozi, Mukhlas and Imam Samudra told prosecutors they were "ready to be executed anytime soon," the BBC reported Thursday.

Advertisement

Last week protesters surrounded the Bali jail, demanding the death sentences be quickly carried out, prompting officials to demand a decision on whether or not the three intended to seek a presidential pardon.

"They all refused to seek grace -- they said that grace should only be sought from Allah, and not from an earthly institution," said Djoko Susilo, head of the district prosecutor's office.

The second Bali bombing on Oct. 1 has prompted public demands to their rapid execution.

Five people have been detained since that attack, but one was later released.

Also Thursday, the government said it would step up surveillance of Islamic boarding schools. Almost all those suspected of involvement in recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia were believed to have studied in such schools.

Latest Headlines