That’s it, it’s all set. Come early November, the 3 Bali bombers who have caused so much grief will finally meet their end. The Indonesian authorities have declared that execution will take place in early November although they have not yet released the official date or time.

It will be a gruesome end but is that befitting the gruesome beginning that started it all back in 2002? It’s not my place to say nor my position to judge. You’re entitled to your opinions but briefly this will be the chronology of events the 3 bombers on death-row will experience up till the point of the firing:

1. They are isolated from other prisoners and notified of the sentence 72 hours before it’s carried out
2. Officials will ask for their 3 last requests (why always 3?) and it will be granted if reasonable.
3. Around the time the sentence is to be carried out, a medical doctor will check them (fit to feel pain and die I guess?) before prison guards shackles them hand and foot.
4. They are next driven (heavily guarded) separately to an isolate forest in Java.
5. Once at the site, spotlights will be turned on and they will see 3 wooden crosses lined up in a row
6. They will be tied to the crosses, hands behind their backs and give the choice of standing, sitting or kneeling.
7. Officials reads out the letter of execution
8. A hood is placed over the prisoner’s head before the doctor attaches a reflector to the spot exactly over the prisoner’s heart to help the firing squad find ‘target’.
9. The firing squad is made up of 12 shooters from the elite paramilitary police squad known as Brimob.  Of the 12 shooters, only three will have live rounds in their rifles. The squad will select their weapon at random so no one knows who fired the fatal shots. (yes the CSI can tell but it’s for the shooters conscience so don’t be a know-it-all)
10. Firing squad stands 10meters away from the target.
11. If the prisoner does not die after the initial volley of shots, the commander gives an “amnesty shot” to the head with a revolver.
12. Then the doctor declares death and later and autopsy is performed.

Gruesome end to a gruesome beginning, but is the last of its kind?

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