Bali bombers' death by firing squad appeal rejected

Jakarta: An Indonesian court rejected on Tuesday an appeal by three Islamic militants on death row for the 2002 Bali bombings challenging the country's method of executing convicts by firing squad.

The three men - Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Mukhlas, also known as Ali Ghufron - lodged the legal challenge in August, saying execution by firing squad was inhumane.

The head of the constitutional court in Jakarta rejected their appeal, saying there is no method of execution that is painless.

Attorney General Hendarman Supandji has said he will announce the execution time for the three on Friday, a move seen as breaking tradition because in the past the government has never announced dates of execution.

A Bali court initially sentenced the three men to death in 2003, but their lawyers have used a number of legal avenues that have delayed the executions.