BALI BOMBERS -- EXECUTIONS COULD TAKE PLACE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002029 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, CA/OCS, S/CT, CA, DS INL FOR BARCLAY/ROESS/BUHLER/CARLON 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: 11/03/2018 TAGS: PGOV PTER KJUS CASC ID AS SUBJECT: BALI BOMBERS -- EXECUTIONS COULD TAKE PLACE IN NEAR-TERM REF: A. OPS CENTER-JAKARTA 11-03-2008 TELECONS ¶B. JAKARTA 2019 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI reportedly has provided the Bali bombers with legal notice that they will be executed soon. This action places the expected execution timeframe anytime after late November 3 (local). While the exact timing remains unclear, the GOI has re-confirmed that the bombers' executions are on track to take place in "early November." Family members indicated that they may try to lodge a new appeal on behalf of the terrorists. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY (Con'd): A high-level contact told Pol/C that the GOI is confident that it can handle any outcry when the executions take place. There have been several small incidents in recent days, including small explosives going off in eastern Indonesia, but no proven link to the Bali bombers' situation. Despite the "execution watch," normal day-to-day business is moving forward as usual in Jakarta and elsewhere. END SUMMARY. EXECUTIONS COULD BE NEAR-TERM ¶3. (SBU) Late on October 31, the Bali Bombers reportedly received from the GOI notification that they could be executed after three days have passed. This notification of a planned execution is required by law. This action places the expected execution timeframe anytime after late November 3 (local). While the exact timing remains unclear, the GOI has re-confirmed that the bombers' executions are on track to take place in "early November." (Note: Mission also received information about the execution which is being sent to Washington in other channels. End Note.) ¶4. (SBU) In other news, prison officials isolated the bombers to a certain cell block in the prison where they are being held in central Java. The GOI also allowed some family members of the three terrorists to visit. On November 3, GOI contacts confirmed to poloff that a team of prosecutors are in central Java to handle execution-related matters. The bombers Amrozi (one name only),Imam Samudra and Ali Gufron (a.k.a. "Mukhlas") are incarcerated on the prison island of Nusa Kambangan located off of central Java. ANOTHER APPEAL? ¶5. (SBU) Family members indicated that they may try to lodge a new appeal on behalf of the terrorists. Indonesian government contacts, however, have told us that the three bombers have run out of appeals and the legal process is now over. GOI CONFIDENT ON SECURITY ¶6. (SBU) Police continue to tighten security at key areas across Indonesia in anticipation of the executions. Over the weekend, police stationed additional officers in front of churches and other areas near Nusa Kambangan, as well as in Poso, Central Sulawesi, a site of previous terrorist activity. They also increased security in major tourist destinations, at ports and at airports. ¶7. (SBU) Police are also investigating several recent JAKARTA 00002029 002 OF 002 incidents. Three minor explosions took place in North Maluku in eastern Indonesia early November 3. Police are also investigating separate discoveries of bombs in Poso and 400 kilograms of potassium in Semarang in central Java. No link between these incidents and the Bali bombers' situation has been proven or claimed. ¶8. (C) Vice Presidential advisor Gembong Prijono told Pol/C on November 3 that he felt confident that domestic reaction to the executions would not be serious and that the police could handle it. Prijono said the GOI was watching Ngruki, the radical Abu Bakar Ba'asyir-affiliated pesantren located near Solo, Central Java. Recently, Ba'asyir reportedly called for revenge if the executions take place. According to contacts, the GOI has no specific information about possible protests or attacks. Despite the "execution watch," normal day-to-day business is moving forward as usual in Jakarta and elsewhere. HUME