Indonesia's controversial cleric on Saturday warned that the country would suffer a big disaster if the three Bali bombers are executed.
Abu Bakar Bashir spoke before visiting the three Islamic militants awaiting execution for their role in the 2002 nightclub bombings on the resort island.
"I'm worried if they were executed there would be a big disaster," Bashir said, referring to the convicts Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Mukhlas.
"It is true they were defending Muslims but their methods were wrong. That is why they are now fasting to pay for the loss of innocent lives," Bashir said.
The three militants had said they had no regrets, except for the fact that some Muslims had died in the blasts.
No date for the execution of the three Bali bombers has been set although the Supreme Court has rejected their final appeal. ( Gulf )