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Riots after Indonesia executions Riots after Indonesia executions
(about 2 hours later)
Three Indonesian Christians have been executed by firing squad, sparking a wave of violent protests.Three Indonesian Christians have been executed by firing squad, sparking a wave of violent protests.
Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus Silva were found guilty of masterminding clashes in central Sulawesi in 2000 that killed 70 people.Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus Silva were found guilty of masterminding clashes in central Sulawesi in 2000 that killed 70 people.
Riots have broken out in religiously divided Sulawesi, with protesters torching cars and looting shops.Riots have broken out in religiously divided Sulawesi, with protesters torching cars and looting shops.
But Palu, where the executions took place, remained calm. Mourners attended church services to pray for the men.But Palu, where the executions took place, remained calm. Mourners attended church services to pray for the men.
A spokesman for the Vatican, which had appealed for clemency, described the executions as a defeat for humanity.A spokesman for the Vatican, which had appealed for clemency, described the executions as a defeat for humanity.
The human rights organisation Amnesty International also expressed disappointment.The human rights organisation Amnesty International also expressed disappointment.
Gang violenceGang violence
The three men were taken before the firing squad before dawn on Friday morning, according to police officers.The three men were taken before the firing squad before dawn on Friday morning, according to police officers.
The bodies of Tibo and Riwu were then flown to their home towns, while Silva was buried in the provincial capital, Palu, where the executions took place.The bodies of Tibo and Riwu were then flown to their home towns, while Silva was buried in the provincial capital, Palu, where the executions took place.
VIOLENT PAST Previously known as Celebes, Sulawesi is Indonesia's fourth largest island80% of residents are Muslim, while 17% are ChristianA December 1998 brawl in Poso led to months of religious violence in which hundreds died Flashpoint: SulawesiVIOLENT PAST Previously known as Celebes, Sulawesi is Indonesia's fourth largest island80% of residents are Muslim, while 17% are ChristianA December 1998 brawl in Poso led to months of religious violence in which hundreds died Flashpoint: Sulawesi
The three men were accused of masterminding a series of attacks on the Muslim community in the Central Sulawesi district of Poso in 2000.The three men were accused of masterminding a series of attacks on the Muslim community in the Central Sulawesi district of Poso in 2000.
The attack was part of a wave of violence triggered by a brawl between Christian and Muslim gangs in December 1998, that left more than 1,000 people dead. The two sides signed a peace deal in 2002.The attack was part of a wave of violence triggered by a brawl between Christian and Muslim gangs in December 1998, that left more than 1,000 people dead. The two sides signed a peace deal in 2002.
The case against the men has raised questions in Indonesia about the different sentences handed down to Christians and Muslims.The case against the men has raised questions in Indonesia about the different sentences handed down to Christians and Muslims.
Few Muslims were ever punished for the violence in Sulawesi, and none to more than 15 years in jail.Few Muslims were ever punished for the violence in Sulawesi, and none to more than 15 years in jail.
Human rights workers also claim that while it was possible the three men took part in some of the violence in 2000, they were almost certainly not the masterminds.Human rights workers also claim that while it was possible the three men took part in some of the violence in 2000, they were almost certainly not the masterminds.
"I've been told by police that my father was killed," Tibo's son, Robert, told the Associated Press news agency early on Friday. "But it's useless for me to say anything now. The government never listened to him when he was alive.""I've been told by police that my father was killed," Tibo's son, Robert, told the Associated Press news agency early on Friday. "But it's useless for me to say anything now. The government never listened to him when he was alive."
The executions have highlighted the religious divideThe executions had been due to take place last month, but the three men were given a reprieve after a plea for clemency from Pope Benedict XVI, and demonstrations by thousands of Christians.The executions have highlighted the religious divideThe executions had been due to take place last month, but the three men were given a reprieve after a plea for clemency from Pope Benedict XVI, and demonstrations by thousands of Christians.
Despite government denials, many Indonesians connect the timing of the men's deaths with the planned execution of three Muslim militants for their part in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, that killed more than 200 people.Despite government denials, many Indonesians connect the timing of the men's deaths with the planned execution of three Muslim militants for their part in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, that killed more than 200 people.
These men were also given a reprieve last month, and are now filing final appeals for clemency.These men were also given a reprieve last month, and are now filing final appeals for clemency.
Indonesia is home to the world's largest number of Muslims. But in various eastern areas of the country, such as parts of Sulawesi, Christian and Muslim populations are roughly equal.Indonesia is home to the world's largest number of Muslims. But in various eastern areas of the country, such as parts of Sulawesi, Christian and Muslim populations are roughly equal.