Indonesian court to consider execution delay
Updated
The three Bali bombers want to beheaded rather than shot.
Indonesia's Constitutional Court has agreed to consider an application from the Bali bombers for their executions to be postponed until the court hears a challenge against their deaths by firing squad.
They have asked to be beheaded instead of shot and claim they are eager to die as "martyrs" for their Islamist cause.
Our reporter in Indonesia, Geoff Thompson, says lawyers for Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, Ali Gufron and Imam Samudra appeared in Indonesia's Constitutional Court today in a preliminary hearing of their application arguing that death by firing squad can be tortuously slow and painful and therefore unconstitutional.
The court has also agreed to consider an application that the bombers executions be delayed.
Defence lawyer Mahendradata said the court had to order a stay of execution while the petition was being heard.
"Do you think that a dead man's plea can still be reviewed by a court? It is unconstitutional," he told the judges.
Lawyer Wirawan Adnan said that while the Constitutional Court did not have the power to order a stay of execution, it would be respectful if the government did so.
"It's up to them whether or not to do it, but, you know, I believe they should respect this court and respect the constitution."
Meanwhile the Antara news agency reports that prison authorities say security at Nusakambangan prison island in Central Java has been tightened to guard against "disturbances" ahead of the executions.
The report says fishermen have been prohibited from operating in waters around the island and security at local ports has been stepped up.
The bombers have exhausted all avenues of appeal against their convictions and officials have said there is no need to delay the executions any longer as the constitutional challenge to firing squads is a separate matter.
Executions in Indonesia are by firing squad, usually carried out at night in undisclosed locations.
