HAMISH ROBERTSON: There’s been a new twist in the Bali bombing trials, with convicted bomber Amrozi giving his consent for his lawyers to lodge an appeal against his death sentence.
It’s an about-face for the man who welcomed the guilty verdict handed down on Thursday by grinning and turning to a packed courtroom to give the thumbs up.
As our Correspondent in Bali, Mark Bowling, now reports from Bali, lawyers have convinced Amrozi that there may be strong legal grounds to appeal.
MARK BOWLING: Amrozi celebrated when the Chief Justice in his trial declared that he had been found guilty, legally and convincingly, of terrorism.
Amrozi faces the prospect of standing before a firing squad and appeared to relish the prospect.
He told the ABC during his final interview before sentencing that he is willing to die a martyr.
But a day after his conviction, he was paid by a visit in his police holding cell by members of his legal team.
He consented to sign the documents needed to launch an appeal against the death sentence.
Chief defence lawyer, Wirawan Adnan, says Amrozi is not seeking leniency, but he believes his life is not in the hands of judges and that he does not want to be a whiner by asking for their mercy.
I think this is a good option for him to take also…He should employ as many means as possible to ascertain his innocence and if all else fails, there’s always the firing squad and a chance to be a smiling shaheed…
But man, this guy has some faith…
