Security tight ahead of Bali bombing executions

Police maintained tight security across Indonesia on Saturday as authorities braced for possible terrorist attacks ahead of the executions of three Islamic militants...

Police maintained tight security across Indonesia on Saturday as authorities braced for possible terrorist attacks ahead of the executions of three Islamic militants convicted in the 2002 Bali bombings that had killed 202 people. Tourist destinations, foreign embassies, and Western oil companies were under heavy guard after the government said the men could face a firing squad within days, national police spokesman Abubakar Nataprawira said.

Imam Samudra, Amrozi Nurhasyim and Ali Ghufron have shown no remorse for the October 12, 2002, twin nightclub bombings and have publicly expressed hope their executions would trigger revenge attacks in the world8217;s most populous Muslim nation. Most analysts say the reaction will likely be small and limited to a show of solidarity at the men8217;s funerals, but Nataprawira said police were not taking any chances.

8220;We8217;re on alert for potential terrorist attacks,8221; he said. The stepped-up security comes days after authorities defused two bombs in a housing complex on Sulawesi island that they feared may have been linked to the planned executions. In addition to beefed-up security elsewhere in the country, 1,000 police have been sent to Cilacap, the town nearest the prison island of Nusakambangan, where the three men are being held, Nataprawira said.

The US embassy in Jakarta issued a warning Friday that Western interests could be targeted and urged Americans to exercise caution. It also warned citizens to stay away from demonstrations, saying even those 8220;intended to be peaceful8221; could turn violent.

The trio had carried out the attacks 8212;allegedly funded by al-Qaeda and carried out by members of the Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah 8212; were to avenge the deaths of Muslims in the U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Though they have exhausted their appeals, they have, until now, refused their right to file a judicial review. Attorney General Hendarman Supandji earlier said the execution would be carried out anytime before Nov. 15.