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Riots after Indonesia executions Executions spark Indonesian riots
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of religiously divided Sulawesi after three Christian militants were executed by firing squad. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of eastern Indonesia after three Christian militants were executed in religiously divided Sulawesi.
Protesters torched cars, looted shops and set prisoners free from a jail.Protesters torched cars, looted shops and set prisoners free from a jail.
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.
The three executed Christians were found guilty of masterminding attacks on Muslims in central Sulawesi in 2000 that killed 70 people. The men were convicted of masterminding attacks on Muslims in central Sulawesi in 2000 that killed at least 70 people.
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.
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: Sulawesi
The human rights organisation Amnesty International also expressed disappointment.The human rights organisation Amnesty International also expressed disappointment.
Gang violence
The three men - Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus Silva - were taken before the firing squad before dawn on Friday morning, according to police officers.The three men - Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus Silva - 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 Palu, the provincial capital.The bodies of Tibo and Riwu were then flown to their home towns, while Silva was buried in Palu, the provincial capital.
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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3812737.stm" class="">Flashpoint: Sulawesi The attacks the three men were accused of instigating, in Poso, was part of a wave of violence triggered by a brawl between Christian and Muslim gangs in December 1998.
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 violence left more than 1,000 people dead. The two sides signed a peace deal in 2002, but there have been sporadic incidents since.
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. Freed prisoners
As news of the execution emerged, at least 1,000 mourners packed the main Catholic church in Palu to pray for the three men.
Rioting broke out elsewhere, including on the island of Flores, the men's birthplace, and in Tibo and Riwu's Sulawesi villages as well as in Poso.
The worst violence broke out in the Christian-dominated town of Atambua in West Timor, where Silva was from.
At least 1,000 people took to the streets, throwing stones and looting shops.
Rioters damaged the state prosecutor's office and broke into the jail, freeing some 200 inmates. Only 20 prisoners had so far returned, police said.
One Catholic priest in Atambua told the AFP news agency he and three colleagues had managed to placate the rioters and they were now heading home.
National deputy police chief Adang Daradjatun stressed that the violence was being directed at the authorities, not at Muslims, and Indonesia was not witnessing a resurgence of the religious conflict of six years ago.
Papal plea
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.
The executions have highlighted the religious divide
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." The 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.