Security tightens at Ketapang seaport

Security officers at the Ketapang seaport in Banyuwangi, East Java, have tightened their guard in anticipation of sabotage against for the execution of three convicted Bali bombers.

Chief of the seaport security Comr. Paryadi Sayat said that a check door has been set at the landing craft marine port. Paryadi, as quoted by Tempointeraktif.com, said that every vehicles entering or exiting the port would be checked.

Paryadi also said an additional 90 police officers would be deployed for a 24-hour guard. The officers would closely verify identities and possessions of everyone entering the port, which is one of the main gates connecting the Java Island the Bali Island.

The government has planned to execute the three convicted terrorists Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Ali Ghufron before the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan, which begins Sept. 1.

The terrorist, who are now detained at a maximum security prison in Nusa Kambangan Island in Central Java, were sentenced to death in 2002 after being found guilty of masterminding the bombings in Kuta, Bali, in the same year that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. (dre)