Death Wish Come True
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday August 8, 2003
The smiling assassin, Amrozi, was true to form last night, punching the air with delight and grinning after an Indonesian court sentenced him to death.
With thumbs raised triumphantly to a jeering crowd, the 41-year-old village mechanic reacted with approval when the chief judge, I Made Karna, banged his gavel three times to end the marathon judgement.
But the cocky Amrozi's chanting was lost amid the applause which broke out spontaneously when the verdict was delivered at 4.14pm in Denpasar.
``I state that the accused Amrozi has been proven legally to be guilty in committing a terrorist act," Judge Karna declared. ``And I bring down the death penalty."
Several families of Australian victims, who had endured a long reciting of the evidence in stifling conditions, embraced each other tearfully, relieved that the expected death penalty had at last been pronounced.
Danny Hanley, who lost his two daughters, Renae Anderson and Simone Hanley, in the explosions, had ``a message for you Amrozi".
``You will not be going to that paradise with 14 virgins . . . you will burn in hell you bastard. Thank you very much.
``I have faith now in the Indonesian justice system and I just hope now that his brothers and the others get a similar result."
Immediately after the sentencing, amid chaotic scenes, Amrozi's head lawyer, Adnan Wirawan who had exchanged smiles with his client during the judgement indicated an appeal, declaring the verdict unfair and based on flawed legal principles.
If Amrozi's appeals fail, it is unlikely that his execution by firing squad will come quickly because he is almost certain to be called as a witness in further Bali bombing trials.
His capture was the first of a series of setbacks for the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network, which was blamed for Tuesday's bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, regarded as a retaliatory strike over the expected judgment.
As tensions remained high throughout Indonesia, the head of the Government's anti-terrorism task force warned that at least one and possibly two members of Jemaah Islamiah were preparing to carry out more suicide bombings.
Ansyaad Mbai said JI members arrested in raids three weeks ago had revealed that two of their members, who were unaccounted for, were planning the attacks.
Until police had identified body parts found after the Marriott attack he could not say whether the men had already carried out their missions.
Amrozi Bin H Nurhasyim, 41, had been charged with being closely involved in the planning of the October 12 explosions in Kuta at the Sari Club and Paddy's Irish pub, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
Throughout the case, which began on May 12 and heard 61 witnesses, his lawyers had argued that although he had bought chemicals and the L-300 Mitsubishi bomb van used in the attack he had had no idea what his companions were planning.
This argument was rejected by the five-man panel of judges, comprising followers of the major religious faiths in Bali Muslim, Hindu and Christian.
``The punishment must be commensurate with the seriousness of his crime," said judge Lilik Mulyadi, rejecting arguments for leniency. ``His actions have robbed young children of their parents, created trauma for suffering victims, mass casualties and widespread panic."
The day had begun in ordinary fashion, with the prison van arriving at court just before 8.20am. Soon after, the relatives of Australians killed in the blasts arrived, escorted by consular officials and supporters.
The Australian Consul General, Brent Hall, led the party of officials. Also in the crowd was a sprinkling of survivors, Indonesian Government representatives, curious university students, undercover police and a few local observers.
On entering the court, Amrozi began shouting and waving, putting on by far the wildest of his customary demonstrations.
In Arabic, after screaming ``Allah Akbar", he chanted: ``Remember Khayber, O Jews!", a reference to a military victory. ``The army of Muhammad is marching back to defeat you."
At first he moved in an agitated manner in his chair, but as proceedings dragged on, he slumped motionless, apparently resigned to his fate.
Occasionally, he grinned at his legal team, his smile turning to outright glee when he got the verdict he claims to have wanted since childhood.
Five reasons why it's not all over
1 STILL AT LARGE Amrozi, the smiling assassin, was not the mastermind. Hambali, the operational brains of Jemaah Islamiah, is still free, along with JI's secretary Zulkifli Marzuki and the leader of the Australian chapter, Abdul Rahim Ayub.
2 MORE ATTACKS Indonesian police believe at least one, and possibly a second, JI suicide bomber is poised to strike. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has nominated Indonesia's national day, August 17, as a possible danger date. JI warns: ``If they execute any of our Muslim brothers we will continue this campaign of terror."
3 MARTYRS LIVE ON If executed, Amrozi would be seen as a martyr. The arrest of dozens of operatives has not wiped out JI, and radical Islamic schools in Indonesia are still breeding terrorists. Amrozi said last week: ``It will never stop. There will be a million more like me who will follow."
4 MISSING EXPLOSIVES Large amounts of bomb-making material are still in circulation, including many kilograms of chemicals similar to those used in Bali and this week's Marriott Hotel blast. Police believe much of it has been sent to Jakarta. One JI analyst, Zachary Abuza , expects about seven explosions soon.
5 GRIEF STILL RAW The end of Amrozi's trial and his possible execution will not end the agony for the families and friends of those who were killed in Bali. They have mixed emotions over whether the man who tormented them from the dock should die.
© 2003 Sydney Morning Herald