Bali bombers may be executed before September

JAKARTA, July 22 Kyodo - Indonesia's attorney general said Monday that three militants currently on death row for the 2002 Bali bombings could be executed before the start of the Muslim fasting month in September after all legal options have been exhausted.

''I hope it can be done before the fasting month, but we still have to discuss it in more detail. For example, if it falls in the fasting month, can an execution be done when people are engaging in religious ritual?'' Attorney General Hendarman Supandji said.

The fasting month will begin on either Sept. 1 or 2.

The three militants -- Amrozi, his brother Mukhlas alias Ali Gufron and Imam Samudra -- were all sentenced to death by a Bali court for their roles in the nightclub bombings that killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign holidaymakers.

Two higher courts have rejected their appeals and upheld the lower court decision. The Supreme Court has rejected their filings for reviews.

Lawyers said the militants and their families will not seek a presidential pardon.

Since late June, Indonesia has executed six people for various criminal cases, including two Nigerian drug traffickers and a psychic who killed more than 40 people.

On Saturday, Indonesia executed three convicted murderers, including a mother and a son.