Indonesia

Funerals of executed bombers raise tension

Article published on the 2008-11-10 Latest update 2008-11-10 11:41 TU

The body of Bali bomber Imam Samudra is carried out of a mosque after prayers, before the funeral in Serang
(Photo: Reuters)

The three people convicted of the 2002 bombings that killed 202 people in Bali were executed at midnight on Sunday on a prison island just off the island of Java. The bombers were Imam Samudra and two brothers known as Amrozi and Mukhlas.

The funerals of the three attracted hundreds of Islamist supporters in their home villages.

Supporters clashed with police when the remains of the two brothers were handed over to their family in Tenggulun, in east Java.

Samaudra's funeral in the western Java town of Serang also attracted excited crowds.

The head of the Indonesian Council of Ulamas, the country's main Islamic body, said the three could not be considered "martyrs" since they "were not fighting for religion".

Their attacks on the tourist island of Bali killed 202 people, mostly foreigners, including 88 Australians.

Police were on alert on Monday, increasing security in tourist areas and at embassies after threats of reprisal bomb attacks against the US and Australian embassies.

Police confirmed that they arrested two people in Jakarta for making bomb threats and that the Australian and US embassies have received threats in the run-up to the executions.