AGO denies execution date rumor, lawyers cite different day

The Attorney General’s Office has denied circulating rumor about the exact execution date of three terrorists responsible for the first Bali bombing in 2002.

AGO spokesperson M. Jasman Panjaitan told reporters Thursday afternoon that he had been informed by deputy attorney general for general crimes Abdul Hakim Ritonga that the execution would not be carried out on Saturday as reported by various local and foreign media.

“Pak Ritonga just phoned me denying the execution will be carried out on Saturday,” Jasman said.

A member of a team of lawyers defending the terrorists, Wirawan Adnan, also denied the rumor saying that he was informed by a government intelligent agent that the execution was going to be held on Nov. 7.

“The family will be notified three days prior to the execution date. And we legal advisors would be allowed to witness the execution,” Wirawan Adnan.

He also added that Ritonga denied a rumor saying that the dead bodies of the terrorists would be transported from the state penitentiary in Nusakambangan island to Java using a helicopter.

Also on Thursday, various foreign publications quoted Ritonga saying that the death sentence would be carried out as early as Saturday morning.

“All preparations are ready. Security forces have been boosted. The execution can be anytime between November 1 and Nov. 20,” Ritonga said as quoted by AFP. (and)