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EXECUTIONS IN NORTH KOREA A Letter From Ann Buwalda, Jubilee Campaign Thank you all for your letters to the Indonesian government authorities and for your prayers concerning this case. We are disheartened to report that at approximately 1:00 am on Friday, September 22, 2006, the Indonesian authorities carried out the executions of Marianus Riwu, Fabianus Tibo, and Dominggus da Silva by firing squad. Since December 2005, in response to calls for clemency and declarations of "not guilty" from Muslim and Christian groups in Indonesia, Jubilee Campaign had joined a chorus of voices around the world which sought a stay of execution pending a full investigation into the irregular and unjust trail proceedings. "Due process violations not only occurred throughout the trial proceedings, but the executions themselves were riddled with violations," said Ann Buwalda, USA Director. Reports from their legal defense team stated that the men were not provided their last sacraments before being shot. A variety of links are provided below to news stories describing the executions, as well as the response by Christians in Central Sulawesi, who are distressed at the blatant prosecutorial bias, which completely overlooked the fact that approximately 1,000 Christians were killed during the conflict and numerous Christian villages torched to the ground by Muslim jihadist groups. Jubilee Campaign expresses our heartfelt condolences to the devastated families of Marianus, Fabianus, and Dominggus. During the detainment and the trial, the Christian community stood with these men and their families, and it is fitting that it continues to do so during their time of grief and bereavement. Please consider sending a letter of condolence to the families. We are also accepting financial gifts to help the wives and children of these three men. All letters and checks can be mailed to the Jubilee Campaign, 9689-C Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031. If you would prefer to make an online donation, please go to Jubilee Campaign website.
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