NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Bali bombing

The 2002 Bali Bombing occurred on October 12, 2002 in the town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali, killing 202 people and injuring a further 209. It is considered the deadliest act of terrorism in Indonesian history. The majority of the dead were foreign tourists, especially Australians, but nearly one fifth were Indonesian nationals. National flags at explosion site in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, October 17, 2002. ... National flags at explosion site in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, October 17, 2002. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Kuta Beach Kuta Beach Kuta Beach Street Kuta is a town in southern Bali, Indonesia. ... Jump to: navigation, search Topography Map showing Bali within Indonesia Sunset at Jimbaran Beach, Bali Young Balinese Dancers Rice terraces at entrance to Gunung Kawi Temple Statue of Dewi Sri â€” Ubud, Bali Bali is an Indonesian island. ... Jump to: navigation, search The term terrorism is largely synonymous with political violence, and refers to a strategy of using coordinated attacks that typically fall outside the time, manner of conduct, and place commonly understood as representing the bounds of conventional warfare. ...

A number of Indonesians were sentenced to death for their parts in the bombings and in October 2002 Abu Bakar Bashir, a leader of the Jemaah Islamiah organisation often accused of being behind the attacks, was charged over his alleged role in the bombing. In March 2005, Bashir was found guilty of conspiracy over the attacks in Bali. Abu Bakar Bashir Abu Bakar Bashir (also Abubakar Baasyir) alias Abdus Somad (born August 1938) is an Indonesian Muslim cleric who is the alleged spiritual head of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a militant Islamic separatist group. ... Jemaah Islamiyah, sometimes rendered Jemaah Islamiah, is a militant Islamic separatist movement, suspected of killing hundreds of civilians, dedicated to the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic state in Southeast Asia, in particular Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and the south of Thailand and the Philippines. ...

The bombing

At 23:05 (15:05 UTC) on 12 October 2002, an electronically triggered bomb hidden in a backpack ripped through Paddy's Bar. The device was small and crude, but killed the backpack owner, likely a suicide operative. The injured immediately fled into the street. Approximately ten to fifteen seconds later, a second much more powerful car bomb of close to 1,000 kg, concealed in a white Mitsubishi van was detonated by remote control in front of the Sari Club. Windows throughout the town were blown out. The explosion left a three feet deep crater [1]. There were scenes of horror and panic inside and outside the bars. The local hospital was unable to cope with the number of injured, particularly burn victims. Many of the wounded, of all nationalities, were flown by the Royal Australian Air Force to hospitals in Darwin and other Australian cities. Jump to: navigation, search October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search Motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Old Javanese/Kawi: Unity in Diversity) National ideology: Pancasila Indonesia Anthem: Indonesia Raya Capital Jakarta Largest city Jakarta Official languages Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia, a standardized dialect of the Malay language) Government President Democratic republic Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Independence - Declared - Recognised From Netherlands... Jump to: navigation, search Official language Portuguese Capital Lisbon Largest city Lisbon President: Jorge Sampaio Prime Minister: JosÃ© SÃ³crates Foundation Independence 868 1128, 1143 Area - Total - % water 92,391 kmÂ² (109th) 0. ... Jump to: navigation, search National motto: None Official language Mandarin Chinese Capital and largest city Taipei President Chen Shui-bian Premier Frank Hsieh Area - Total - % water Ranked 138th 35,980 kmÂ² 2. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A car bomb is a bomb that is placed in a car or truck and is intended to be exploded while there. ... Jump to: navigation, search Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (in Japanese: ä¸‰è±è‡ªå‹•è»Šå·¥æ¥æ ªå¼ä¼šç¤¾, in romaji Mitsubishi JidÅsha KÅgyÅ Kabushiki Kaisha) (TYO: 7211) is a Japanese automobile company, manufacturing an extensive range of cars and trucks (see Fuso). ... The Sari Club is a nightclub in Kuta Beach, Bali, which was at the centre of the 2002 Bali bombing. ... Evolution of a 2nd degree burn â€” One hour Evolution of a 2nd degree burn â€” One day Evolution of a 2nd degree burn â€” two days This article describes a type of injury. ... The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... Central Darwin, circa 1986 Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, and is a city of 109,419 people (2001 census) on Australias far north-western coastline. ...

Almost simultaneously, a third bomb detonated in the street in front of the American consulate in Bali. This bomb caused no injuries, and only modest damage.

The final death toll was 202, the majority holiday-makers in their 20s and 30s who were in the two bars. Many Balinese/Indonesians working in Kuta also were killed. Hundreds more people suffered horrific burns and other injuries. The largest group among those killed were holiday-makers from Australia. The Bali bombing is sometimes called "Australia's September 11" because of the large number of its citizens killed in the attack. Jump to: navigation, search The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of suicide attacks against the United States conducted on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. ...

There were many acts of individual heroism. Kossy Halemai, a hotel manager, was singled out for praise with the award of Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2005. Kusitino Kossy Halemai was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2005 for aid given to victims of the 2002 Bali bombing. ... The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Queen Elizabeth II on February 14, 1975 for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service. The Order includes three classes in general and military divisions, in descending order of... Jump to: navigation, search 2005 (MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Three bodies remained unidentified and were cremated at Bali in September 2003. Jump to: navigation, search 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The bomb was at first believed to be made of C4 plastic explosive. However, on 21 October investigators at the scene disclosed that the main portion of the bomb was made of ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer agent and easily available in Indonesia, while C4 is a military grade product and difficult to get. C4 or Composition C4 is a common variety of military plastic explosive. ... Jump to: navigation, search Plastic explosive (or plastique) is a specialised form of explosive material. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search The chemical compound ammonium nitrate, the nitrate of ammonia with chemical formula NH4NO3, is commonly used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer. ... Jump to: navigation, search Fertilizers or fertilisers are compounds given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar spraying, for uptake through leaves. ...

Suspects

The organisation immediately suspected of responsibility for the bombing was Jemaah Islamiyah, an Islamist group linked in many news reports to the al-Qaeda network. The Indonesian chief of police, General Da'i Bachtiar said that the bombing was the "worst act of terror in Indonesia's history". Other Indonesian ministers stated their belief that the blasts were related to al-Qaeda. Jump to: navigation, search Jemaah Islamiyah, sometimes rendered Jemaah Islamiah, is a militant Islamic terrorist organization dedicated to the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic theocracy in Southeast Asia, in particular Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and the south of Thailand and the Philippines. ... Islamism is a political ideology derived from the conservative religious views of Muslim fundamentalism. ... Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ... Dai Bachtiar and the military. ...

Abu Bakar Bashir, an Islamic cleric believed by many to be among the leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah and wanted in Singapore and Malaysia, held a news conference on 12 October to deny any involvement. In a number of statements he denied that the bombing had been perpetrated by Indonesians, and blamed the United States for exploding the bomb, claiming that it wasn't possible for Indonesians to construct such a sophisticated device. Abu Bakar Bashir Abu Bakar Bashir (also Abubakar Baasyir) alias Abdus Somad (born August 1938) is an Indonesian Muslim cleric who is the alleged spiritual head of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a militant Islamic separatist group. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ...

Aris Munandar (aka Sheik Aris) is a JI associate linked to Bashir. He is believed to have assisted the Bali bomber Amrozi in acquiring some of the explosives used in the Bali bombings. Philippine intelligence considers Munandar to be associated with Mohammad Abdullah Sughayer, a Saudi national suspected of financing the al-Qaeda affiliated Abu Sayyaf Group in southern Philippines. Munandar is still at large. Amrozi bin Nurhasyim (born July 5, 1962), native of East Java, also known simply as Amrozi, is an Indonesian who was convicted for his part in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombing. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), or simply Abu Sayyaf, also known as Al Harakat Al Islamiyya, is a separatist group of Islamist terrorists based in and around the southern islands of the Philippines, primarily Jolo, Basilan, and Mindanao. ...

Indonesian authorities also believe more suspects remain at large. In 2005, Indonesian police arrested 24 additional people suspected of involvement in the Bali attacks and a 2003 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta. Some were believed to have been making preparations to leave for the Philippines. Jump to: navigation, search Motto: Jaya Raya (Indonesian): Prosper and Great Founded 22 June 1527 Governor Sutiyoso Area 661. ...

Legal proceedings

Download high resolution version (1500x1131, 434 KB)This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free content hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. ... Download high resolution version (1500x1131, 434 KB)This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free content hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. ...

Initial charges and trials

In April 2003 Indonesian authorities charged Abu Bakar Bashir (also rendered "Ba'asyir") with treason. It was alleged that he tried to overthrow the government and set up an Islamic state. The specific charges against Bashir related to a series of church bombings during Christmas in 2000, and to a plot to bomb United States and other Western interests in Singapore. He was initially not charged over the Bali attack, although he was frequently accused of being the instigator or inspirer of the attack. On 2 September Bashir was acquitted of treason but convicted of lesser charges and sentenced to four years prison. He said he would appeal. On October 15, 2004, he was arrested by the Indonesian authorities and charged with involvement in another bomb attack, which killed 14 people at the J. W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta on August 5, 2003. Secondary charges in this indictment accused him of involvement in the Bali bombing, the first time he faced charges in relation to this attack. On March 3, 2005, Bashir was found not guilty of the charges surrounding the 2003 bombing, but guilty of conspiracy over the 2002 attacks in Bali. He was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment. The Australian, US, and many governments expressed its disappointment that the sentence was too short. Jump to: navigation, search 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Abu Bakar Bashir Abu Bakar Bashir (also Abubakar Baasyir) alias Abdus Somad (born August 1938) is an Indonesian Muslim cleric who is the alleged spiritual head of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a militant Islamic separatist group. ... In law, treason is the crime of disloyalty to ones nation. ... Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the year 2000. ... Jump to: navigation, search September 2 is the 245th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (246th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search Motto: Jaya Raya (Indonesian): Prosper and Great Founded 22 June 1527 Governor Sutiyoso Area 661. ... Jump to: navigation, search August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search 2005 (MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 30 April 2003, the first charges related to the Bali bombings were made against Amrozi bin Haji Nurhasyim, known as Amrozi, for allegedly buying the explosives and the van used in the bombings. On 8 August he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Another participant in the bombing, Imam Samudra, was sentenced to death on 10 September. Amrozi's brother, Ali Imron, who had expressed remorse for his part in the bombing, was sentenced to life imprisonment on 18 September. A fourth accused, Mukhlas, was sentenced to death on 1 October. All those convicted have said they will appeal, and none of the death sentences have yet been carried out. Jump to: navigation, search April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining, as the last day in April. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2003 (MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Amrozi bin Nurhasyim (born July 5, 1962), native of East Java, also known simply as Amrozi, is an Indonesian who was convicted for his part in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombing. ... Jump to: navigation, search August 8 is the 220th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (221st in leap years), with 145 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in Leap years). ...

The Australian, US, and many other foreign governments expressed satisfaction with the speed and efficiency with which the Indonesian police and courts dealt with the bombing's primary suspects, despite what they characterized as light sentences. All Australian jurisdictions abolished the death penalty more than 30 years ago, but a poll showed that 55% of Australians approved of the death sentences in the Bali cases. The Australian government said it would not ask Indonesia to refrain from using the death penalty. Capital punishment, also referred to as the death penalty, is the judicially ordered execution of a prisoner as a punishment for a serious crime, often called a capital offense or a capital crime. ...

On 15 August Riduan Isamuddin, generally known as Hambali, described as the operational chief of Jemaah Islamiyah and as al-Qaeda's "point man" in Southeast Asia, was arrested in Ayutthaya, the old capital one hour's drive north of Bangkok. He is in American custody in an undisclosed location, and has not been charged in relation to the Bali bombing or any other crime. It was reported that the United States is reluctant to hand Hambali over to Indonesian authorities in light of the lenient sentence given to Abu Bakar Bashir. Jump to: navigation, search August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... Riduan Isamuddin Riduan Isamuddin (also transliterated as Riduan Isamudin, Riduan Isomuddin, and Riduan Isomudin, better known by the nom de guerre Hambali, born as Encep Nurjaman, born April 4, 1966) is an Indonesian terrorist. ... Jump to: navigation, search Jemaah Islamiyah, sometimes rendered Jemaah Islamiah, is a militant Islamic terrorist organization dedicated to the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic theocracy in Southeast Asia, in particular Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and the south of Thailand and the Philippines. ... Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ... Jump to: navigation, search Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River at sunset, July 2004 The Wat Phra Kaew temple Bangkok Metropolitan Administration building Bangkok, (in Thai à¸à¸£à¸¸à¸‡à¹€à¸—à¸ž à¸¯, à¸à¸£à¸¸à¸‡à¹€à¸—à¸žà¸¡à¸«à¸²à¸™à¸„à¸£, or Krung Thep, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, IPA: ), population 8,538,610 (1990), is the capital and largest city of Thailand. ...

Constitutional appeals

On July 23, 2004, one of the convicted bombers, Maskur Abdul Kadir, successfully appealed his conviction. He had been tried under retrospective laws which were introduced after the bombing and which were employed to aid the prosecution of those involved in the attack. These laws were used by the prosecution instead of existing criminal laws as they allowed the death penalty to be imposed and lowered certain evidentiary restrictions.

The highest court in Indonesia, the Constitutional Court, found by a margin of five to four that trying the terrorist suspects under these retrospective laws violated Article 28I(1) of the constitution [2]. The minority judges argued that international human rights documents such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights allowed an exception to not applying retrospective legislation in the prosecution of crimes against humanity. The majority found that this argument was inconsistent with the text of Article 28I(1) which states that the rights listed there "cannot be limited under any circumstances."

Following this decision, charges related to the bombings against Idris, who had confessed to participating in the attacks to the police and court, were dismissed.

Both the chief of the Constitutional Court, in extra-judicial comments, and the Justice Minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated that the decision has no effect on the status of the thirty-two other convictions reached before the Constitutional Court's ruling. The legal status of Kadir, Idris and others who might have their convictions quashed following the ruling on the retrospective law is unclear. Jump to: navigation, search Yusril Ihza Mahendra (born Belitung, South Sumatra; February 5, 1956) is an Indonesian politician. ...

The decision by the Constitutional Court has been seen as an important demonstration of its independence from the government. It is a relatively new body, created after the fall of Soeharto, and this decision was one of the first to overrule the constitutionality of the government's application of a law.

Contents

The bombing

Suspects

Legal proceedings

Initial charges and trials

Constitutional appeals

See also

External links

Contents

The bombing GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Suspects

Legal proceedings

Initial charges and trials

Constitutional appeals

See also

External links

The bombing