Prime Minister John Howard yesterday defended widespread jubilation in Australia following the handing down of a death sentence against an Indonesian terrorist who helped plot the Bali bombings.
"I don't think the Australian public were consumed by revenge," Howard told Melbourne radio station 3AW.
An Indonesian court on Thursday convicted and sentenced to death Amrozi bin Nurhasyim for planning and helping execute the attack that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, in a nightclub district of Bali's Kuta Beach resort area last October.
Australian television on Thursday night showed scenes of survivors and victims' loved ones celebrating the decision. Many people expressed satisfaction with the death sentence -- despite capital punishment being abolished here in the 1960s.
"I just want to see him die," said Peter Iliffe, whose 28-year-old son Joshua was killed in the attack. "I would help pull the trigger, whether or not it makes him a martyr."
Soon after the sentence was read out Thursday, Howard, who opposes capital punishment, said he would not press the Indonesian government to reduce the sentence.
"I'm not going to do that because I do respect the judicial processes of Indonesia," he said. "I also believe that for me to do that would offend many Australians who lost people, who legitimately feel, as decent Australians, that the death penalty is appropriate."
Numerous Australians linked to the tragedy opposed the death penalty. Many feared it would make Amrozi a martyr. Some that it would result in reprisals.
Australian lawmakers are also divided on the issue.
Labor leader Simon Crean joined Howard in backing the death sentence, while Senator Andrew Bartlett, leader of the Australian Democrats party, denounced it.
"Despite the fact that many people have had their lives shattered by this man again, you don't want to respond to terrorism and barbarism by becoming barbaric yourself," Bartlett said.
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