An Indonesian court has acknowledged that three Bali bombers might suffer when they are executed by firing squad, but ruled the method does not (not) amount to torture.
Lawyers for three death-row Bali bombers had asked Indonesia’s Constitutional Court to consider if death by firing squad was unconstitutional.
They had argued it was because the men might not die immediately, and it could therefore be deemed torture.
But the court rejected the argument on Tuesday, saying all execution methods carried some risk that death would not be immediate.
Judge Mohammad Mahfud said the state had sentenced the men to die for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings.
“The pain suffered by the death convicted is a legal consequence related to … the execution,” he said.
“Alternatives of death execution methods other than shooting – like beheading, electricity … and lethal injection – all create pain. There’s no way to guarantee there will be no pain.
“All have a risk of inaccuracy … that will create suffering, but it’s not torture … under (the constitution).
“With that, the plaintiffs’ request … is not based on law, and must be rejected.”
Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas and Imam Samudra are expected to be executed by the end of the year over their roles in the Bali attacks, which killed 202 people including 88 Australians.
The three Islamic militants have drawn out the process for as long as possible, exhausting all legal avenues, despite claiming they are ready to die.
Indonesia’s Attorney-General’s office is due to announce further details of the executions on Friday, and has said it wants them carried out by the end of the year.
