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September 11, 2008 - 6:29PM

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Execution by firing squad is not torture, the Indonesian government argued at a Constitutional Court hearing launched by three Bali bombers on death row.

"It is not torture. If they feel pain, it s just a natural process and it doesn t contradict our constitution," Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Matalatta told the court.

"The pain and torture are two different things," he said.

The three members of the Jemaah Islamiah militant Islamic network have been sentenced to death for the 2002 bombings which killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists including 88 Australians, on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali.

A panel of Constitutional Court judges opened hearings last month after the bombers, who have exhausted all other appeals, sought a ruling on the legality of firing squads.

Lawyers for the condemned men - Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Ali Ghufron - have argued that firing squads amount to torture.

The bombers have asked to be beheaded.

They have shown no regret for the attacks and say they are looking forward to dying as "martyrs". They are in custody at an island prison off Java island.

"The government cannot accept other methods in execution and urges judges to reject the (bombers) request," Matalatta told judges.

Officials had said the executions would occur before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on September 1.

But late last month Attorney-General Hendarman Supandji said the sentences would be carried out at an unspecified date after Ramadan ended on October 1.

The Constitutional Court hearing is to resume on September 18, when lawyers for the bombers are expected to call an expert witness.

Executions in Indonesia are by firing squad, usually carried out at night in undisclosed locations after the prisoner receives at least 72 hours notice.

Source: http://news.smh.com.au/world/firing-squad-not-torture-bali-court-20080911-4em2.html

Photo: Constitutional Court s Doc

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