Threats detected against 10th commemoration of Bali bombing

Gearing up: Indonesian police officers line up during a security parade in Denpasar, Bali,on Wednesday. More than thousand Indonesian police will provide securities for the commemoration to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people - among them 88 Australians. (AP/Firdia Lisnawati)Bali Police said on Wednesday that bomb threats had been made an event to mark the 10th commemoration of the 2002 Bali bombing, slated to be held at Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park in Jimbaran on Friday.

“From the information we gathered, there are indications that certain groups are targeting prominent figures who will attend the event,” said Bali Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana, adding that the police had detected suspicious movements around GWK.

Among the VVIP guests slated to attend the event are Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and former prime minister John Howard.

Some 4,000 people, including around 800 family members of the victims of the bombing, are also expected to attend the commemoration.

In anticipation of potential bomb threats, the police will only allow invited guests to enter the premises around GWK starting on Thursday, according to the deputy chief.

Moreover, the police would deploy 2,121 security personnel, combining forces from the Bali Police, the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI), he added, as reported by tempo.co.

The Bali Police have also prepared snipers and will install firearms and explosive dectectors.

On October 12, 2002, terrorists detonated bombs at Sari Club on Jl Legian in Kuta, Bali, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians and seven Americans. (han/iwa)