Execution of 3 Catholics Postponed

JAKARTA, Indonesia, APRIL 2, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The executions of three Indonesian Catholics condemned to death for their purported role in violence that rocked Poso in 2000 have been postponed.

The State Attorney General's office announced the decision and confirmed that the executions originally had been secretly scheduled to take place Saturday.

PADMA, a group of lawyers defending Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marianus Riwu, had been protesting to block the executions.

Last month, Bishop Joseph Suwatan of Manado relayed a message of support from Benedict XVI to the three prisoners who were condemned to death after a controversial trial that many observers said was unjust. Its proceedings were marred by large-scale intimidation by Islamic fundamentalists.

Bishop Joseph Suwatan of Manado told the Catholic inmates that the Pope sent his blessing to them.

Masyudi Ridwan, spokesman for the Attorney General's office, said the delay of the executions was due to the lack of "important papers." Ridwan refused to comment about a possible new date for the executions.

Brigadier General Oegroseno, head of the central Sulawesi police, said the execution should take place "in the coming days," but would not comment on the postponement.