INDONESIAN AG: EXECUTION OF BALI BOMBERS WILL BE DELAYED

Hendarman Supandji, Indonesia's Attorney-General, backed away from supporting capital punishment and indicated the executions of the Bali bombers will be delayed. A Constitutional Court ruling is imminent and Mr Supandji said the Government would implement its decision if it ruled against executions.
Abdul Rahman Saleh - who Mr Supandji replaced earlier this year - strongly advocated capital punishment before the Constitutional Court. Executing drug traffickers was "essential" to deter drug use, he said. But Mr Supandji said Mr Saleh's remarks were "the personal opinion of the former attorney-general. It depends on the community in Indonesia as a whole, because the legislation is the product of parliament.
"However, there is still controversy among the community about capital punishment. I leave it up to the people. If the Indonesian nation rejects it, as Attorney-General I have to follow it." He dismissed calls to immediately execute the three convicted Bali bombers, Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Ali Ghufron. First the trio must receive a copy of the rejection of their final appeal, then they would be asked if they would appeal for clemency. "This will prolong the process," Mr Supandji said.