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Bali bombers’ execution brings family no satisfaction
Monday, 10 November 2008
The family of a Timaru man killed in the 2002 Bali bombings say they take no satisfaction from the execution of his murderers yesterday. .
The executions come six years after the Kuta nightclub explosions that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians and three New Zealanders.15am (Indonesian time) yesterday on the prison island of Nusa Kambangan, off the coast of Java.
"It's not a blip in our lives at all," he said of the executions.
John Parker, the uncle of Mark Parker, who was one of those killed, said nothing could make up for the loss of his nephew. "There's no feeling of closure as they say or justice Mark is not here and everyone has learnt to live with that. It's their own justice process and nothing to do with us," he said.
Bomb threats were received by the Australian and United States embassies in Indonesia last week."
The executions have raised fears of reprisal attacks in Indonesia, with security forces on alert across the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised against all travel to central Sulawesi, and against non-essential travel to Bali and other parts of Indonesia.
New Zealanders registered as travelling in Indonesia will be notified that the executions have taken place.
Most terrorism analysts believe it is unlikely there will be a major attack but agree there is a risk of mob violence and clashes involving hardline supporters of the trio.
The presence of police has been stepped up across Indonesia amid threats of attacks in Bali and in Jakarta shopping malls.
Right up until their final days, the killers showed no remorse and used the media to claim to be warriors of Islam and predict a wave of attacks against Westerners following their deaths.
The executions follow years of legal challenges to the death sentences, which were handed down in 2003.
Samudra was the operational field commander for the bombings.
Mukhlas was convicted of approving, inciting, financing and carrying out the bombings, while his younger brother, Amrozi, bought the van and chemicals for the explosion, and attended planning sessions for the attacks.
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‘Boobs’ parade ends at Parliament (+pics)
By MICHAEL FOX and CLIO FRANCIS – Friday, 07 November 2008
NICKI PARSONS/The
BOOBS IN CAPITAL: The controversial Boobs on Bikes parade took to the streets of Wellington today.
Boobs at Parliament
View photos (Caution: nudity)
Thousands of people thronged the capital's central business district today for the inaugural Wellington Boobs on Bikes parade.
Naked News presenter Lisa Lewis, clad in snug a Lions uniform, was seen on the back of a ute, courting attention amongst the throng of expectant bystanders.
Onlookers and amateur photographers jostled for prime viewing positions and most seemed to be enjoying the views of 20 topless females on the back of bikes.
"It should happen more often.
Onlooker Liam Cain, 19, said the parade was "fantastic, bro".
Construction workers at the Supreme Court stopped work and wolf-whistled in excitement as the half-naked passengers roared past."
Along the parade route, a cross-section of society could be seen making the most of the occasion including schoolboys, businessmen, mothers with prams and the South Korean girls Under-17 soccer team.
David and Suzanne Jackett were also impressed by the parade and said they were already looking forward to next year.
Green MP Sue Kedgley campaigned forlornly on Lambton Quay, holding a Greens placard, as the attention of the crowd instead focussed on the main event.
Suzanne said she had also enjoyed it and had taken plenty or photos for keepsakes.
"Auckland has had it for years and its time that we caught up – and it was a lovely day for it," David said.
Parade organisers defied orders from the Office of the Speaker not to enter Parliaments grounds, in spite of a heavy police presence.
"I wouldn't mind sitting on the back myself but I'm a bit old now," she said.
Beehive staffers could be seen peering out the windows as the excited crowd stormed up the hill at Parliament to gain a good vantage point.
The models dismounted their bikes and walked side by side with organiser Steve Crow to the statue of Premier Richard Seddon where they posed for the cameras of the excited crowd.
When informed by that the parade, minus the bikes, had made it on to Parliament grounds, The Family Party leader Richard Lewis said it was"an affront to the traditional values of our country.
Porn Star Evan Stone, who participated in the parade, ventured on to Parliament's steps to the cheers of the crowd before being escorted off by security.
"He's waved his finger at the New Zealand public before and he'll do it again."
"It reflects the kind of guy Mr Crow is.
A spokesman from the Speaker's office told Crow all requests to use the grounds for commercial purposes were declined."
The Family Party had earlier this week laid a complaint with the Speaker's office about Crow's plans to take Boobs on Bikes to Parliament. .
Crow had previously told the the parade was a "freedom of expression" ride.