http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060919/afp/060919073838int.html
Tuesday September 19, 3:44 PM
Security tightened as Indonesia readies for Christian executions
Photo: AFP
Click to enlarge
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
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