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Bali bombers offered last appeal


THE Indonesian Supreme Court has rejected the Bali bombers' request for a final appeal against their death sentences, but they will be given a last opportunity to escape firing squads through a presidential pardon.

The decision means Amrozi, Imam Sumudra and Mukhlas have no other avenues of legal appeal against their looming executions, but have one more chance to delay the process. They previously rejected asking the President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, for clemency, but officials said they would be asked again. They were sentenced to death nearly four years ago for their roles in the 2002 bombings in Kuta which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians. Despite stating they wanted to die as martyrs, their lawyers have constantly strung out the legal process. A plea to Dr Yudhoyono is almost certain to be quickly rejected, allowing the executions to be carried out within days.The development drew mixed reactions from family members of some of the Australian victims.David "Spike" Stewart, whose son Anthony died in the nightclub attacks, said the Australian Federal Police had called him a week ago to tell him the three men would be executed last weekend. That did not happen, but Mr Stewart said the police had confirmed the executions would happen soon.He said he would be happy to pull the trigger on the firing squad rifle. "I'd check the rifle to make sure I wasn't given the blank," said Mr Stewart.John Mavroudis, whose son David was one of six Coogee Dolphins players killed, said he had not heard from the federal police and "couldn't care less" about the bombers. "I don't give a damn about them really . They deserve what they get," he said. "We just try and get on with our lives."On the South Coast, Gayle Dunn is getting on with her life by continuing her six-year campaign to raise funds for a youth development foundation and entertainment complex in memory of her son, Craig, and his mate Danny Lewis. She also had heard nothing from the federal police, but was not worried. "To me, there was no point dwelling on that [the bombers' fate] because what will be, will be," she said.

An Indonesian Supreme Court spokesman, Nurhadi, confirmed yesterday that judges had reaffirmed the original death sentences and rejected an application for a further appeal."Our job now is completed. All the legal efforts have been finalised," Mr Nurhadi said. "But still there is another legal action - a presidential pardon. "A spokesman for the Attorney-General' s office, Bonaventura Nainggolan, confirmed the men would be asked if they wanted to seek clemency. "It means we have to wait," he said.A lawyer for one of the men, Mahendra Datta, said he had not been told of the court's rejection of his client's third attempt to overturn their sentences. Asked if they could seek presidential clemency, he said: "I don't know. We will have to ask them." They could have changed their minds about a pardon, Mr Nainggolan said. "If now they wish to seek presidential pardon, according to the law, we have to allow them. It is their right. Remember, this is an execution. It is irreversible. "He confirmed that firing squads had been selected and authority granted to carry out the executions near the Nusakambangan island prison off Central Java, where the three are being held.
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