Posted on 09/21/2006 1:29:09 PM PDT by rface
THREE Indonesian Christians who were on death row for inciting violence against Muslims in 2000 were executed by firing squad, their lawyer said.
"They have been executed....," lawyer Roy Rening said.
Mr Rening said he was informed of the executions by the prosecutors office in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province....
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Mr Rening added that he refused to be present at the deaths to protest a rejection by the state of their last demands, including that their bodies be laid in wake at Palu's main Catholic church.
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The trio were initially scheduled to be shot last month but authorities granted a last-minute reprieve - even following the preparation of their coffins - shortly after Pope Benedict XVI issued a plea for clemency, though a link was denied.
After the executions, spokesman Federico Lombardi said the Vatican was saddened by the "painful" news.
The case of the trio has raised fears of sectarian violence flaring again in Central Sulawesi, where more than 1000 people lost their lives in 2000-01 as Muslims and Christians clashed.
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The case of the three poor farmers drew international concern from rights activists, who criticised the fairness of their trial and saw the men as scapegoats .....
On Thursday, the men had met for the last time with their relatives, their priest and their lawyer, Mr Rening.
"They should just do the execution and return their bodies to the family... This is a new crime, and I protest this attitude," Mr Rening said.
Christian leaders had urged their faithful to stay calm and refrain from any violence ...
The executions were carried out just a few days ahead of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting which is expected to begin this weekend.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Anyone know why these men are refered to as "priests" in the Family research Council newsletter? I did not see this info anywhere else.</p>
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