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Clerics start entering Nusakambangan amid reports of executions
Clerics have started to visit the high-security Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java, amid restrictions for visitors following reports of a third round of executions taking place soon.
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Several security officers guard the Wijayapura port amid the temporary closure for visitors to enter Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java on July 25. (JP/Agus Maryonoi)
C
lerics have started to visit the high-security Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java, amid restrictions for visitors following reports of a third round of executions taking place soon.
The clerics crossed over to the island by ferry under local police and prison guard escort. Hasan Makarum, a cleric from the Cilacap branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), acknowledged that he had counseled several inmates on the prison island.
"We just do our duty, but sorry I don't know when the executions will take place," Hasan said as he arrived at Wijaya Pura Dock after visiting the prison on Monday.
(Read also : Nusakambangan prisons temporarily halt family visits as executions draw nearer)
He refused to give details on the inmates he counseled, but said he and several other clerics would be visiting the prison island regularly over the next few days.
Visits to the island have been suspended since Monday for members of the general public. Hopeful visitors have been advised to try again next week.
Nasrulloh, a guard on Nusakambangan, confirmed that the prison island was closed to general visitors for a week startingMonday. He explained that it was aimed at “sterilizing” the area in the lead-up to the third round of executions. (rin)
