GOI REPORTEDLY PREPARING TO EXECUTE BALI BOMBERS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001628 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, S/CT, INL FOR BARCLAY/ROSS/BUHLER DOJ FOR CRIM AAG SWARTZ, DOJ/OPDAT FOR LEHMANN/ALEXANDRE/BERMAN DOJ/CTS FOR MULLANEY, ST HILAIRE FBI FOR ETTUI/SSA ROTH NCTC WASHDC NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2018 TAGS: PGOV PTER ASEC ID AS SUBJECT: GOI REPORTEDLY PREPARING TO EXECUTE BALI BOMBERS, BUT NO CONFIRMATION OF WHEN REF: JAKARTA 1587 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The three Bali bombers have been moved into an isolation block at the maximum security prison where they are being held. Despite recent reports that the executions would be delayed for various reasons, the GOI has taken this step reportedly in preparation for possible near-term executions of the three. If they do not take place soon, the executions will almost certainly be delayed into October due to the month-long Ramadan holiday starting September 1. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The on-and-off executions of the three Bali bombers may be "on" again. (Note: The three were convicted and given death sentences for their roles in the October 2002 Bali bombings.) Despite recent statements by the Indonesian Attorney General that the executions of the Bali Bombers would probably be delayed due to legal-related issues (see reftels),authorities at the prison where the three are held have separated them into an isolation block. The GOI is taking this step reportedly in preparation for near-term executions. When asked, authorities at the prison would not comment on when the executions might take place. ¶3. (SBU) Bambang Winahyo, the Central Java regional head of corrections at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, stated to the press that Amrozi, Imam Samudra, and Ali Gufron were placed in an isolation block in order to prevent "security incidents" from taking place in the prison and surrounding area. Security surrounding the high-security prison, which is located on Nusa Kambangan Island off the coast of Central Java, has been "heightened," according to the Regional Police Chief. Police have taken steps to secure the waters surrounding the island, including securing the port. ¶4. (C) Contacts report that they are hearing that the executions could be imminent, but that nothing is confirmed. If they do not take place soon, the executions will almost certainly be delayed into October due to the month-long Ramadan holiday starting September 1. ¶5. (C) Djoko Susilo, a well-known member of the Indonesian legislature, told Pol/C on August 27 that he had heard from a source in the President's Office that the execution squad is ready to go and is just waiting for the order to proceed (we have heard this from other credible sources, too). That said, he advised that "everything could be postponed because there are a lot of small things to do before the executions can take place and little time before Ramadan." He added that he did not think that there would be any sort of sharp reaction by the public to the executions if they take place -- "almost all Indonesians think the three deserve death." HUME