TIMELINE-Indonesia's Bali bombers executed over 2002 blasts
(For related story see INDONESIA-EXECUTIONS or [ID:nJAK41265])
Nov 9 (Reuters) - Indonesia has executed three members of Muslim militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) who were responsible for the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings in which 202 people died, an official at the attorney-general's office said on Sunday.
The three men, Imam Samudra, Mukhlas and Amrozi, were executed on Nusakambangan island in central Java. Here are some key dates since the deadly blasts.
Oct. 12, 2002: Blasts at the tourist island Bali's Kuta Beach nightclub area kill 202 people, including 88 Australians. Militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) is blamed.
Nov. 5: Indonesian police arrest the first suspect, a mechanic called Amrozi from East Java.
Nov. 21: Police arrest the alleged chief planner of the bombings, Imam Samudra, a 33-year-old engineer from West Java.
Dec. 4: Amrozi's older brother, Mukhlas, a Muslim preacher also known as Ali Ghufron, is arrested in central Java. He is alleged to be the operational chief of JI in Southeast Asia.
May 12, 2003: Amrozi goes on trial, charged with plotting the attacks and buying the explosives. He is dubbed the "smiling bomber" for his expressions of delight during court appearances.
June 2: Imam Samudra goes on trial.
June 16: Mukhlas's trial opens. One week later he retracts all statements, saying he was tortured into confessing.
Aug. 7: Tears flow and survivors applaud in court as Amrozi is found guilty and is sentenced to death.
Sept. 10: Imam Samudra is found guilty of masterminding the attacks and is sentenced to death.
Oct. 2: Mukhlas is sentenced to death. He pleads for a reduction, and says he will appeal.
July 25, 2006: An official from Bali's district attorney's office says the three may be executed in August.
Aug. 21: Indonesia delays executions of the three bombers, as defence lawyers plan to request a Supreme Court judicial review.
Sept. 12, 2007: The three Bali bombers say they will not seek a presidential pardon after the Supreme Court throws out Amrozi's final appeal.
May 12, 2008: Amrozi remarries his ex-wife, though he is not present at the ceremony.
Aug. 6: Lawyers for the three men lodge a legal challenge on Indonesia's method of execution, saying that death by firing squad is inhumane.
Oct. 1: The three men celebrate their last Eid al-Fitr in prison and warn that their friends will avenge their deaths.
Oct. 20: Indonesia's constitutional court overrules the bombers' petition and upholds the use of firing squad for executions.
Oct. 24: Attorney general's office sets execution date for early November.
Nov. 9: The three men are executed on Nusakambangan island.
Source: Reuters (Writing by Gill Murdoch, Beijing Editorial Reference Unit; Editing by Louise Ireland and Sara Webb)
