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Fears follow firing squad

Margo Zlotkowski

Monday, November 10, 2008

© The Cairns Post

 

A CAIRNS survivor of the deadly Bali bombs fears fundamentalist Islamic followers of the executed killers will take their revenge on the West.

The view was shared by Cairns Mayor Val Schier and Catholic Bishop James Foley, who both yesterday warned the act could provoke reprisals.

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In the wake of the news that the three convicted bombers had finally been put to death by firing squad yesterday morning, bomb blast victim Brendan Barry said he remained convinced the risk of revenge attacks was very real.

"All you can do is pray that it doesn’t happen," said Mr Barry, who was badly injured and whose best friend died
after the Sari Club attacks in October, 2002.

"But enough’s been said. It’s done and now is a time for remembrance."

Mukhlas, 48, his brother, Amrozi, 47, and Imam Samudra, 38, were sentenced to death after being found guilty of the 2002 Kuta nightclub attacks that claimed 202 lives, including 88 Australians.

Cairns Mayor Val Schier said she
believed executing the bombers had simply "turned them into martyrs".

"Personally, I oppose the death penalty," Cr Schier said.

"It would have been far better to have them languish in jail for the rest of their lives."

She said travellers must be "mindful" of the risks of further attacks, but she hoped people would continue visiting Bali.

"They (Balinese) make their livelihoods out of tourism, as we do," she said.

Bishop Foley said the killing of anybody left him cold and violence across history had never solved anything.

"In fact, it is likely it will provoke further reprisals," he said.

The Bishop said the bombers’ beliefs were not typical of all Muslims, but were those of fundamentalists who could be found in all religions.

Cairns Islamic leader Imam Abdul Aziz did not return calls yesterday.

 


Fearful: Bali bomb blast victim Brendan Barry.


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