Countdown begins to Bali bombers' execution

Jakarta: Indonesian officials on Thursday told the family of one of three militants on death row for the 2002 Bali bombings to be "ready to accept the execution once it happens," a sign the executions may take place soon.

Some 100 militants descended on the offices of the national human rights body as the bombers' lawyers met officials inside to demand access for the families.

The radicals condemned the executions, believed to be hours or days away, and praised bombers Amrozi, 47, his brother Mukhlas, 48, and Imam Samudra, 38, as "holy warriors."

They carried banners pledging to follow the bombers' path of jihad or "holy war" and warning that "hell" awaits the executioners.

Meanwhile the families of three men have demanded to see them a final time.

Indonesia is on alert for terrorist attacks as it awaits the executions. Security has been tightened and Australia has warned its citizens against travel to the country. Britain and America have advised their citizens to be vigilant.

The men are to be executed by firing squad at an Island prison off the Java coast. An official source said that three wooden posts had been erected five metres apart, six kilometres south of the high-security prison on Nusakambangan island, where the bombers are being held.

They were convicted in 2003 for their role in planning the co-ordinated suicide car bombing that killed 202 people at crowded nightspots on Bali.

Among the victims were 88 Australians and 28 Britons.