Bombs uncovered in Sulawesi as Bali bombers' execution nears

The Weekend Australian ^ | 1st November 2008

[naturalman1975]

INDONESIA has stepped up security around foreign embassies amid fears of attacks as it prepares to execute the three Islamists convicted over the Bali nightclub bombings which killed 202 people.

Police have revealed they had found and defused two bombs in a Balinese Hindu migrant area on Sulawesi island on Wednesday and Thursday as tensions mount ahead of the imminent executions.

"I think there is a connection between this and the execution of Amrozi and others," local police chief Suparni Parto said, referring to bombers Amrozi, Mukhlas and Imam Samudra, who could be executed as early as today.

National police spokesman Abubakar Nataprawira said extra police had been stationed around embassies in Jakarta, especially the US and Australian missions, as well as sensitive locations across the main island of Java.

"We are increasing security at embassies and public places such as malls," he said.

Bus terminals, railway stations and houses of worship were also possible targets, he said.

"The exact date (for the execution) is the Attorney-General's Office's decision but the police are ready for the execution to be carried out any time."

Officials have said Imam Samudra, 38, Amrozi, 47, and Mukhlas, 48, will be executed by firing squad any time from midnight last night until mid-November.

They were sentenced six years ago for the 2002 bombings on the resort island of Bali which killed more than 160 foreigners including 88 Australians.

The attack, launched in retaliation for the US invasion of Afghanistan, remains one of the bloodiest terror bombings carried out in the name of Islam since the September 11 attacks on the United States.