Bali bomb verdict: Your reaction

One of the key suspects in last year's Bali bombing has been found guilty and sentenced to death.

Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, dubbed the "smiling bomber", arrived in court raising his fist and shouting Islamic slogans.

During his trial, which began in May, Amrozi said the Bali bombings had "positive aspects" because they encouraged people to re-embrace religion and weakened the corrupting influence of foreign tourists.

202 people died in the attacks, which ripped through a busy nightclub area in the island's popular Kuta district.

What's your reaction to the verdict? Is the death penalty appropriate? Is this a step forward in the war on terror?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

---

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:

Twisted individuals such as this man should be dealt in the harshest manner. Send him to Guantanamo Bay to the X-Ray prison. Not only will this instil fear in such people but it will make sure they have no way of running away.
Ali, Kuwait

They are sowing the seeds of global hatred and mistrust amongst people of different faiths Sachin Vats, India

"Brainwashed" is the word for these terrorists. They don't correctly know what they are doing. Me, my faith, my people and my religion - their minds are not able to think beyond that. That's why they portray such a heinous crime against humanity as heroic. They are sowing the seeds of global hatred and mistrust amongst people of different faiths.
Sachin Vats, India

I think that we will never find out the truth. Knowing the history of American involvement in Indonesia, and being aware of the CIA covert meddling in many affairs of numerous countries throughout the world, I wonder if this could have been another CIA plot to discredit Islam worldwide.
Majik,

I tend to agree with some of the comments pertaining to the death penalty as just another path to 'martyrdom' for these disturbed individuals. Since it is obvious that terrorism is a world wide problem, why not provide a global solution. Once convicted, in any country, these people could be sent to a deserted island secured under a revolving UN team. Life sentences would be issued with all the comforts of prison life except religious dogma. No Bibles, Korans, etc. as they have lost this privilege of humanity due to their misinterpretations!
Bryan, US

Amrozi kills 200 westerners, he's an "evil murderer" and a so-called "terrorist" who should be destroyed. Policies of Bush, Blair, Sharon, Netanyahu, Rumsfeld, and Co. kill tens of thousands of Arabs, and they are "heroes", "men of peace", and "champions of democracy and human rights". So these are the great "western values" you westerners hope to export to us.
Marwan, Cairo

I feel no doubt at the correctness of the verdict, but I do feel there must be some question regarding the sanity of Amrozi. A more appropriate penalty may be life confinement to a mental institution, this would go some way to denying him 'martyrdom' and may prove to be a less desirable possibility for any other who would choose to emulate.
Bill Morris, Thailand

Give him hard labour everyday from morning until night, just enough for him to rest and start again. He will wipe the smile off his face, because he will see it is not a walk in the park, as no one will protect him. Death would be to easy for him, so let him rot in jail for his own punishment.
Brenda, Canada

Reading the comments from most of the people here I am a bit surprised about them wanting Amrozi to suffer, repent etc. Really, who cares? Surely the death penalty is just to get rid of someone who is totally unacceptable to civilised society. We could never put him through suffering comparable to that suffered by his victims and their families so why bother. Just get rid of him in a way that denies all dignity in the hope that, perhaps, some of his supporters may have second thoughts.
Clive, Indonesia

The death penalty will not deter such people Nick Page, UK

It appears that the verdict is exactly what the fundamentalists are after, the path to glory and martyrdom that they have been taught they would receive from doing what the rest of us would regard as despicable acts. In my view, the Indonesian government has done nothing whilst Islamic extremists have been preaching hatred and violence in the country and now they are reaping the results. The death penalty will not deter such people but will encourage them even more!
Nick Page, UK

As already mentioned, what he did was totally against the teachings of any religion, race, culture, and most importantly humanity. He confessed it and has been sentenced. But who is going to punish the ones who create these terrorists, the ones who create hate in the minds of such people against all westerners, the ones who directly or indirectly kill countless innocent people around the world, and I am talking about the western leaders. Why should there be a difference between a person who kills with his own hands and a person who orders his troops/men to kill others? Why do we always talk about these terrorists but we never think about the root cause of terrorism and never point at our own leaders, mainly American and British leaders?
Mike Hughes, Canada

It is clear the man has never himself lived through the sort of pain he has caused the relatives of victims present in the courtroom. His obscene behaviour only re-enforces the observation that he is little more than an ignorant fool! Furthermore he communicates nothing to anyone other than to those in this world that share his basic ignorance of human values. Whether he lives or dies will actually be of no real consequence to anyone, as he has made no contribution, other than the ridiculing of the great religion in the name of which he says he operates.
William Cass, Denmark

Why would we spend money keeping him alive when there are so many others that actually deserve it? Chris Morris, US

This man doesn't deserve to live. It is too dangerous to keep him alive. There is a huge risk he would escape (like Al-ghozi last month in the Philippines). If he escapes certainly he would commit more terrorist acts - potentially larger ones. Having these bombers in jail could allow them to recruit more, or could provide a reason for other terrorist acts to get their release. Why would we spend money keeping him alive when there are so many others that actually deserve it? If he is killed, this provides relief that there is no chance he would commit further murders.
Chris Morris, US

I think he did not read the Quran very well, which says... "if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind" Quran 5:32. So he is punishable for such an action. It's a big Ignorance on his part.
Saddique, India

The saddest thing I've ever known is people doing things for which they believe are defensible reasons. This man is happy at the death sentence because he is convinced it will mean his soul will be guaranteed to get to heaven. The death penalty was the wrong verdict for this man. Life imprisonment (and I really mean life) in the worst hell hole of jail that could be found, would have been more appropriate. Death was the way out he wanted. What is worse is that Muslims will catch the fall out for his acts. And this man has the GALL to laugh!
Steve, UK

These people have been brainwashed; religion does not accept criminals, terrorists or murderers.
G. Valenzuela, El Salvador

There is no such a thing as a fully justifiable killing. But on the other hand, sometimes there is no other way to deal with the self-confessed criminals. Death penalty is not moral in itself, yet ridding the world of people like Amrozi (I hate to even glorify them with the term people) helps ensure that justice has a broad perspective and a firm moral standing.
Agnieszka Idzik, Jaslo, Poland

These are people who simply have no respect for anyone or anybody Eric Montfort, Malta

The man has shown no remorse and as such he belongs to fundamental fanatic groups that are just a menace and an insult to their own religion they claim to support. Being a Catholic I would have to forgive but these are people who simply have no respect for anyone or anybody and his very own remarks continue to show what values he has got-the worst of their kind since Hitler's extremist views
Eric Montfort, Malta

A convicted mass murderer appealing against his on-coming 'martyrdom' status? His clowning act after the guilty verdict in front of media cameras is just a stunt. He's running scared, and becoming a 'martyr' is far from his mind. Had he been so enamoured of that status, he would have blown himself up in Bali.
James Ong, Malaysia

Revenge is not the way to go. The civilised world has failed to find the root cause of these terrorist acts.
Naveel, USA

Let him live. That would be a better punishment for him. Just keep him in jail. That will make him wish to die, but he can't hurt anyone any more.
Jim Krés, Sweden

Terrorists are beneath the law and a special treatment should be established Mike Bruce, Indonesia

I lost a work mate in the Bali bombings; I also lost a school mate in the WTC attack. I live in Indonesia. As a Roman Catholic I have a difficult problem with the death sentence. But I now see why the USA has an established prison facility in Cuba. The danger in Indonesia is that if you exclude the death penalty, the chances of any convicted criminal later escaping or being let out of prison is very real. Why not send Amrozi to Cuba to serve out a real life sentence? Really these terrorists are beneath the law and a special treatment should be established.
Mike Bruce, Indonesia

OK, so that's one guy found guilty. Surely he did not act alone; where are the other perpetrators or is the Indonesian government hoping that we will just forget about it now?
Nigel Pond, Brit living in the USA

The only way the 'war on terror' will be 'won' is for Muslim clerics themselves to speak out strongly against the perversion of their religion Anne F, England

The outrage in Bali was a wholly wicked act taking the lives of so many innocent people, including a friend of my son's from his university days. Imposing a sentence of death on Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, however, is not likely to make the world any safer, nor will it discourage others of a similar mind from following in his footsteps. Quite the reverse probably. I believe that the only way the 'war on terror' will be 'won' is for Muslim clerics themselves to speak out strongly against the perversion of their religion by those who choose to declare holy war on Westerners/non Muslims for reasons which have little to do with religion.
Anne F, England

My hat is off to the Indonesians for having the backbone to enforce a high standard. Now is no time to "go wobbly" in the face of terrorism this will send a message to those attracted to theocratic terrorism. Follow that path and your life will be "brutish nasty and short"
Harris, USA

I feel grateful that effort has gone into convicting this terrorist but saddened at the handing down of the death penalty. Not only will it give this man what he wants - a martyrs death - it will add further incentive to those who believe it is right to die for such an evil cause. In addition yet more death coming from this terrible situation is not the solution - we run the risk of lowering ourselves to the standards of the terrorists - killing for what we believe is right. Nobody should have the right to take another's life. A life sentence during which this man has the time to reflect on the misery he has caused whilst suffering his lost liberty is surely more appropriate.
Suzanne, UK

A quick death is too good for him Sam Lawrence, New Zealand

The majority of the people that died in that bombing came from New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand is a peaceful country. Amrozi launched an attack upon our way of life in an attempt to undermine civilisation itself. A quick death is too good for him. He deserves to die slowly and painfully. Lets see if he continues to smile then!
Sam Lawrence, New Zealand

202 people were killed by the Bali bomber, and he is to be executed by a firing squad. Yet more that 64,000 people, most of them indigenous Sinhalese, have been brutally murdered during the past nineteen years by the Tamil terrorists in Sri Lanka but there has been no talk of a firing squad for the terrorist leader. Is this because there were no western victims? How come the US, Canada, the World Bank etc are now having cordial dealings with the Tamil terrorists, though the western countries organised immediate attacks in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks? How can such cynical double standards be blatantly adopted by the major countries?
Michael, U.K.

Today, two non-Muslim Britons who were convicted of a wave of bombings in Saudi Arabia were released after they were sentenced to death by a Saudi court. The British government lobbied heavily for their release. No doubt all those people here who want to see Amrozi dead would also like to see those Britons die too - or is their outrage only reserved for Muslims?
Bilal Patel, London, UK

The government lobbied for the Brits in Saudi Arabia to be released because the evidence that convicted them was shabby. The Bali bomber confessed willingly. Chalk and cheese; religion totally irrelevant.
Jake, UK

Again I see people turn this discussion into one about race. It saddens me daily to see this happen. This man killed over two hundred people. This is not a race issue, Bilal Patel, and if you were in the bomb blast may be you would understand that metal shards C4 and flak doesn't discriminate. It's about time you stopped playing the race and the 'world hates Muslims' card which is preposterous!
David , UK

I'm not sure he knew how he was supposed to react - how would you, if you knew you were going to be sentenced to death and millions are watching around the world. There is now way to predict how one will or should react
Ads, UK

Amrozi is only one of many in a growing list of terrorists threatening the security of everyone Steven, Australia

Although as an Australian I don't condone the death penalty, I respect the sentence that has been handed down by the Indonesians for such an atrocity on their own soil. Amrozi is however, only one of many in a growing list of terrorists threatening the security of everyone and it is well overdue to go to the root of their whole cause. I greatly admire the stance some 'western' nations have taken in acting for a long term goal of world peace however they must be supported by the United Nations who at the moment demonstrate nothing but inaction and hesitation. It is time for U.N. action to sort out the Israeli - Palestinian conflict (among others) once and for all!
Steven, Australia

I've just read on another website that he intends to appeal his conviction. Having second thoughts about wanting to die a martyr for Islam? Is there no way that the leaders of his religion could make it perfectly clear to him and to fellow extremists that their actions will deny them any possible benefits in the after life?
Martin Beckett, UK

I believe the death penalty is sufficient, although like an earlier comment said making him re-build what he destroyed would also be a good punishment, I would make it brick by brick with his bare hands and no breaks personally. However to all those people who think he should be jailed for life, who is going to pay for him to be jailed? The general public, that's who. He's cost people their families, they shouldn't have to pay for him to sit comfortably in a cell for the rest of his days as well.
Angela, UK

Compared to what awaits him, death by firing squad is nothing Cameron, UK

This moron calls his actions jihad - holy war. There is nothing holy about his actions. Fanatics like this have been brainwashed by evil men masquerading as good, just and holy. They too need to understand as well as their puppet bombers that their actions are against Gods law (no matter what your creed) and far from becoming martyrs they will be dammed. Compared to what awaits him, death by firing squad is nothing.
Cameron, UK

As a Muslim, I believe that it makes no difference what punishment is given. This man is not a Muslim. He has killed innocent people, who served no threat to him or anyone else. Allah will punish this sorry excuse for a man, for it is people like him that give Islam a bad name and further fuel the worldwide Islamophobia.
Nejim Gakenyi, England

This man clearly believes that he will become a Martyr. He should be executed, in secret, at an undisclosed location, and an undisclosed time, with NO media attention. This will deprive him of the publicity he seeks, and Any sane person knows he will not be entering "terrorist heaven" anyway.
Tony Bastin, England

I totally reject his sad and twisted version of my religion Usman Ayub, UK

As a Muslim, I totally reject his sad and twisted version of my religion. He murdered innocent people full stop. For this evil action I truly believe that god (Allah) will punish him.
Usman Ayub, UK

Australia should not be happy with the death sentence - we oppose such sentences and we have negotiated our own citizen's future reprieve in the US system. To not protest this decision is hypocritical. This man should be incarcerated to ponder his actions - he needs to repent.
Joe Mandebvu, Australia

He doesn't deserve death-what he deserves is life imprisonment.
Molly, Ireland

The death penalty will not bring justice in this case Henry Lau, Taiwan

The death penalty will not bring justice in this case; we can see it from Amrozi's face. A more appropriate way to make him feel really sorry for what he did may be to make him learn about those innocent people, especially about those who are charitable and benevolent, so that Amrozi and the like can understand what they have robbed this world of.
Henry Lau, Taiwan

I would like to applaud Henry Lau for stating such a wonderful thought. It changed my thinking. I was convinced bin Nurhasyim should be tortured to death over some period of years as a suitable punishment. But Mr Lau is right. Creative punishment like that, confronting him with the magnitude of what he has destroyed, would be very difficult for someone like Bin Nurhasyim to stomach. Killing him will only make him a martyr and add nothing to the situation. Thank you Mr. Lau
Andrew Lale, UK

I have mixed feelings about this death penalty. Yes he does deserve to lose his life after he has killed so many, but look at him smiling - he wants to die like this and as far as he is concerned, he will be a martyr. I personally think that people like him should not have a quick death, when he has made so many suffer!
Shelly, UK

He is clearly impervious to reason and implacably opposed to happiness in this life Ben, England

It astounds me that some of the contributors to this discussion, despite being exposed to the sheer fanaticism of this monster and his deluded world-view, are more inclined to criticise the West than to rejoice in his conviction (whatever our views on capital punishment). He is clearly impervious to reason and implacably opposed to happiness in this life, in the mould of all fanatics.
Ben, England

This maniac has got what he deserves. I believe that a long term prison sentence, with hard labour would have been more appropriate though. His death will be quick and humane, unlike the lifetime of suffering yet to be endured by the relatives of his victims.
Heather W, UK

For a person like Amrozi, who has shown no remorse or regret for the grave crime he has committed, it is very important to make him realise what pain he has caused to families who have lost their loved ones. Definitely a man like him, quite evidently from his behaviour, is not in his right mental condition to differentiate between good and evil. I think he was prepared for this verdict and does not fear death. So instead he should have been given a life imprisonment sentence along with some kind of psychological treatment to make him realise his grave crime and he should be made to repay for it through rigorous labour and hardship while serving his sentence in the prison for all his life. The death penalty would be over too quickly before he realises the pain and anguish.
Japneet, Singapore

I doubt that the punishment would in anyway deter the extremists from repeating the same act M Muzamir, Malaysia

I think he deserve to be sentenced accordingly as his act is utterly atrocious. I doubt that the punishment would in anyway deter the extremists from repeating the same act. What Islamic leader have to do now is to explain the basic fundamentals of Islam to the population at large about this heinous crime and how it deviates from the true Islamic teachings. One hopes that USA will not resort to colonial attitude of 'educating the heathens' clearly described by Annie Taylor.
M Muzamir, Malaysia

I'm bewildered by those who say that murderers should not be killed because 'nobody has the right to kill'! I find this hard to swallow considering it's coming from people who sent their troops to wage an unprovoked war against a country that was already crippled by senseless sanctions. Anyone who kills should be killed.
Mothae, Cape Town, SA

"If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind." Quran 5-32. Those 202 people died for no reason. As a Muslim, I cannot imagine this person entering the gates of paradise.
Waleed, USA

Death is too quick. He should rot in jail. I would prefer to look at him in 30 or 40 years time as an old man and see if the smile has been wiped from his face.
Anthony, Australia

He deserves to die for the crime he committed. But the only way the world will make any headway regarding terrorist attacks is when we start paying attention to the reasons why these people feel the need to resort to this kind of madness. Until that happens, the cycle will continue.
Sammy, US

There is a need to establish a special prison for terrorists. Instead of giving them what they want -execution and publicity -they should be put in jail for life. The world must wake up to realize that there are some insane people out there who chose to commit terrorist acts in exchange for publicity, sympathy, and well publicised execution. Today Amrozi smiles as he gets what he asked for.
Membe, SK, Halifax, Canada

He is human and no-one can convince me, regardless of his "smile", that he does not fear dying Louise Rector, USA

I think the verdict is fair and my hope is that this monster sits a good long time in prison, thinking about those bullets that will rip into his flesh. He is human and no-one can convince me, regardless of his "smile", that he does not fear dying in the way he will die. I hope he gets solitary confinement, (so he cannot be in the public eye, as he obviously wants to be), and then death, as he most definitely deserves.
Louise Rector, USA

The Death penalty is unacceptable in this case. I also believe letting him rot in a cell is also too good for him. How about fifty years' hard labour - perhaps helping to rebuild what he has destroyed? That'll wipe the smile off his face and put him to good use rather than giving him the luxury of a firing squad or prison cell.
Paul Williams, England

The real people who should be put on trial are the hypocrite leaders in the first world who only see wrong when it suits them. Guantanamo Bay is the site of bigger atrocities than any terrorists can ever accomplish. The double standards in our world must be abolished if war and "terrorism" will ever be curbed.
Haddy, The Gambia

To Haddy, The Gambia: Equating the detention of terrorist at Guantanamo Bay where they are given three religiously appropriate meals a day, prayer mats and much improved conditions with a new detention centre with the thoughtless mass murdering terrorist is not very conducive to a united front by civilized society against the terrorist menace. We either face this together or we lose apart.
Frank, USA

An appropriate punishment for Amrozi's crime does not exist. To give him what he wants in the form of the death penalty seems counter-productive. He would go to the firing squad with a smile on his face, and that would serve no real purpose.
John, UK

We should never say that a person should die because of their behaviour Annie Taylor, UK

I do not believe that the death penalty is ever appropriate and if we in the West are really to show other nations that we are more 'civilised ' because we are democratic, wealthier, Christian and liberal, then we should NEVER say that a person should die because of their behaviour. Sadly it is probably our selfish attitude that has assisted towards this extremist behaviour, which I do not condone but challenge very differently, notably by respecting the human rights of the people terrorising us, the West, and assisting them out of poverty, educating them in tolerance and other helpful things.
Annie Taylor, UK

Annie Taylor talks about 'the poor' and educating them in tolerance and other helpful things. Why on earth does she blame 'the poor' for these atrocities and what is her justification for saying that they need to be educated in tolerance? Perhaps we could start at home by educating our own people in tolerance and not taking such an arrogant colonial attitude to people in other countries.
Kevin, UK

Why is he smiling so? Because he got what he wanted for doing what he wanted. Since when was punishment about giving the guilty what they want or seek as their goal? Giving death to a wannabe martyr is an inversion and perversion of all that 'justice' purports to be.
Ed, USA

I am an Australian - Maltese. Our great countries have in line with most Commonwealth countries abolished the death penalty. I agree with this verdict but we Commonwealth Citizens must show that we are lenient too. This guy hurt a lot of people that lived in my suburb of Greenwood Perth Western Australia and he should never be set free but he must not die. If he is killed then our justice will have taken the same trip into exactly the same gutter that he and the likes of him live in.
Paul Taliana, Malta

Just what he deserves after killing 202 people. I think the death penalty is appropriate and I think that this is the way all terrorists should be treated but it isn't likely to happen in the EU.
Andrew, UK

Executions, however well deserved, only legitimise the idea that it is acceptable to kill someone, providing the crime is sufficiently noxious. Certainly anyone involved in the Bali bombing, or indeed any act of violence in which a person dies should be punished for their actions, but if killing is to be seen to be wrong, it should not be practised by governments.
Lucy, UK

I don't mind capital punishment for real monsters but Amrozi does not seem to me being so. He followed his ideals; he did what he considered right to do. Yes, he killed many innocent people and he is guilty. Didn't those who began war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Kosovo kill innocent people? Are they monsters?
Mikhail, Russia

If the execution is consistent with the law of the land, it is appropriate and should be accepted Hans, Canada

If the execution is consistent with the law of the land, it is appropriate and should be accepted. All acts of terrorism are cowardly and pathetic. When will a respected Islamic leader finally denounce these ludicrous and misguided pursuits for so-called martyrdom?
Hans, Canada

It was an expected verdict but execution should have been by hanging. Is this going to stop and deter further terrorist acts? This could trigger more attacks as more would like to die for such purpose especially when they considered themselves martyrs.
Nair M., Malaysia

Giving this guy the death penalty is all very well - but no one has even mentioned the causes of the Bali bombing - why did it happen? In the 60's half a million innocents were murdered with the tacit support of the US government, the IMF and the World Bank. When 200 Westerners die then we take notice. The Indonesian government with the support of the West (including Australian) has been training terrorists and encouraging terrorism for decades. So by all means kill this man if you like - but don't kid yourselves that it will make a difference.
Steve, UK

Killing an Islamic fundamentalist terrorist is obviously useless, in fact even less desirable than having him live. The terrorist probably believes he'll go to heaven and be served by dozens of virgins (or however it goes), while his peers will remember him as a courageous martyr, inspiring them to follow his lead. This man needs to rot in a prison cell for the rest of his life. That would be a true punishment for him.
Dan, Germany

A murderer deserves the death penalty unless forgiven by the victims. Justice Departments do not have a right to forgive the pains they did not suffer. In the meantime, Amrozi has no personal animosity against anyone he killed. So what motivated him to do so? Is this such a difficult question that "so called civilized" societies can not ask themselves.
TH, UK

To TH, UK: The motives of Amrozi can be understood, they are the same as ones of UK or US soldiers who killed the people their government called their enemies. Poor countries cannot use tank or aviation, they cannot destroy military bases but they feel humiliating to do nothing; so they do what they can do against their enemies. So called terrorism or guerrilla is the only available effective means to harm the enemy.
Mikhail, Russia

Amrozi's guilty verdict brought relief and mixed feelings. A (small) part of me wants 'eye for an eye' justice for all the innocent people he murdered. But the rest of me feels that no one has the right to take another mans life regardless of justification. Western nations must live to higher ideals and rise above this or else we are no better than these cowardly murderers.
Marc, Australia

Terrorists should not be allowed to become martyrs in anyone's eyes Jose Kirchner, USA

Indonesia is making the same mistake the USA did with its domestic terrorist, Timothy McVeigh. These terrorists should not be allowed to become martyrs in anyone's eyes, and should be allowed to become old and infirm in prison, the target of even fellow prisoners' scorn and disdain. They should live long enough to understand that their actions were for naught, catalyzing no changes they advocate, and to understand they are despised, not lionized. Amrozi seems quite happy with the outcome as sees himself as a "martyr" and victim!
Jose Kirchner, USA

I think being incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay may be a more befitting punishment; to go gradually mad in isolation in the Cuban sun must surely be a greater deterrent. And this one IS guilty.
Joel, England

Amrozi is not going to die a 'martyr' as he claims but will simply die as a cold blooded murderer who is without remorse or feeling.
Almac, USA

Compromise between the US Government and the Islamic militants is a good solution to end terrorism. Who was responsible in training the terrorists?
Richard Lau, Malaysia

Today, the world has become a little unsafer again. Unless we solve the real underlying problems, the war on terrorism will just increase. Just like that the many years of the war on drugs has not solved anything either.
Kim, The Netherlands

I am a relative of one of the Swedish victims and all I have to say about Amrozi is that if there is a God he's going to burn in hell.
Jimmy, Sweden

I wholly endorse the death penalty decision in this case, for the sake of justice. Such heinous crimes against humanity should not be allowed to flourish at any level regardless of religion or culture. However, it does bring into focus the very real possibility that another misguided and probably socio-politically challenged individual will soon be elevated to the status of martyr and thereby add new fuel to the already raging fire of fundamentalism in the east.
steve p, UK

The Australian government is clearly demonstrating double standards by not asking for the death penalty to be commuted Mike, UK

I'm surprised that the Australian government is clearly demonstrating double standards by not asking for the death penalty to be commuted. Either you believe in the death penalty or you don't but you shouldn't believe in it only when it suits you to do so. Personally I don't agree with the death penalty and I think that applying the death penalty in this case is what this criminal wants. Let him rot in jail as an example to others rather than making a martyr out of him.
Mike, UK

I feel that the sentence will make him a martyr. He should have been given an Islamic punishment by breaking his legs and hands and imprisoned for life. That way Those who are or behave like him will get a message that crime does not pay. All those who profess that Islam is peace loving and honourable religion should stand up and prove to the rest of the world that it is.
Shah, England

How will this deter terrorists from committing further atrocities? These people are not only willing to die for their cause, they believe that dying in a "holy war" is a great honour. Does execution hold any threat for them? No. It merely reduces the state to the same level as the murderers.
Owen Duffy, Scotland

The legal system in this country should learn a lesson or two on dealing with terrorists lgreece, UK

I am not a violent person, but in the case of terrorism I welcome the death sentence for terrorist. After all what right do they have to end the lives of innocent people, such as the IRA or the ETA in Spain. They deserve a drop of their own medicine. The legal system in this country should learn a lesson or two on dealing with terrorists and not leave the innocents to pay for its debts.
lgreece, UK

The sentence is absolutely befitting the heinous crime committed by Amrozi. Attack on innocent civilians even in times of war is strictly prohibited in Islam and is considered crime against humanity/God. The penalty for this is death. Those like Amrozi have a warped sense of martyrdom. Fundamentalism or extremism is not only in Islam but in many other religions or politics. The fight against which will continue for years to come.
Arif Sayed, Dubai, UAE

I am pleased that the courts have decided they've caught the Bali bomber. As one who has been to that beautiful island on numerous occasions, I was horrified that such devastation had been wrought on a peaceable people. So, I welcome the verdict. However, I do not welcome the sentence. I don't think that adding another death, even Amrozi's, to the original toll will make the world a better place. That said, I don't anticipate loosing much sleep over his execution.
Mark Headey, UK

I am an Australian and stood in the Sari bar almost two years ago and watched the two planes hit the world trade centres. While I didn't know anyone who was in Bali during the bombings, I can only imagine the pain felt by those who did. Justice has been served in the case of Amrozi - and he should be punished. But his death will only make him a martyr for those who have similar beliefs. The death penalty is wrong. It would be more constructive to force him to live the rest of his life incarcerated and force him to suffer with his own thoughts. To kill him would only put him out of his misery and make criminals of those who seek justice.
Isabelle , UK

Death by firing squad is too clean and too certain Pat Weyman, Canada

Nothing personal against the Australians? Targets only the Americans and Jews? Then why blow up a building where racially indiscriminate death and maiming will result? This man is either an idiot or a fool - but in reality is just a murderous thug. Death by firing squad is too clean and too certain -shackle him inside a building that's due for demolition by explosion, then see how long his evil smile lasts.
Pat Weyman, Canada

I welcome the option of the death sentence in this instance, but surely a more fitting punishment would be lifelong incarceration in barely tolerable surroundings, with no means of intellectual or physical stimulation and only the means to survive from one day to the next. Surely a more terrifying prospect than facing a firing squad and rightly or wrongly, perhaps inspiring more murderous cowards.
Ian Grace, UK

Execution by firing squad? I don't agree that the death penalty is appropriate purely for political and deterrent reasons, but if it is imposed perhaps it would be more fitting for him to slowly burn to death like so many did that night.
Clyde, UK

I couldn't believe it when his lawyer said Amrozi was 'sorry' for killing people who were not his targets - they were Americans and Jews, apparently. Is he so stupid and misguided that he thought that setting a bomb off in at a crowded nightclub frequented by foreign tourists would only kill Americans and Jews? Silly me, of course he's misguided - he's a mass murderer who thinks he's some sort of hero.
Dom, UK

The death penalty is a barbaric act which lowers us to the level of the terrorists Grant Regan, Sydney, Australia

It greatly concerns me that while Amrozi and his co-accused certainly deserve severe punishment for their heinous, despicable crimes, my country has not taken a principled stand against the death penalty as Australians were victims. Not only does this play into the hands of the terrorists and their supporters, the death penalty is a barbaric act which lowers us to the level of the terrorists. Why is the death penalty acceptable, so long as its not exacted here? We, as a supposedly civilised nation, should take a principled stance against the death penalty irrespective of where it is enacted or who the victims are. Justice is not served by it.
Grant Regan, Sydney, Australia

The death penalty is not a deterrent. It is not a vengeance. It is a punishment carried out in the name of justice, and is meant to be commensurate with the crime committed. You drive too fast, you get a speeding ticket. You rob someone, you go to jail. You bomb 200 innocent people to death, you get executed. People who say that capital punishment does not deter crime conveniently forget that neither does imprisonment. Capital punishment fits this crime.
Allan, USA

I am a Muslim. If Mr Amrozi believes that he will die a martyr then he is certainly mistaken. He committed an act of murder on a large scale and the sentence is befitting. I also agree with another comment about Bush & Co. They need to be tried for the atrocities they have created in the world.
Yahya, UK

He should be executed very quickly and without being given a chance to appeal Daniel, France

Indonesia was my country of residence for several years, Bali for quite a long time. Now that Amrozi has been sentenced to death, he should be executed very quickly and without being given a chance to appeal, because his crime is out of standard crime ... and this applies to the rest of his gang! But the job won't be finished until the highest religious authorities clearly denounce him and his friends not as martyrs and heroes but as zero IQ imbeciles and stupid cowards! I'm not sure that, at tomorrow's Friday prayer, this kind of message will be spread over all the Indonesian mosques. Anyway, let's hope that the Indonesian authorities will remain tough.
Daniel, France

I am not convinced that the death penalty is the appropriate sentence for this atrocious act. Firstly this will promote Amrozi into the ranks of Martyrdom. Secondly, with the numbers of Islamic extremists willing to lose their own lives in an act of terror, the death penalty is not an effective deterrent. A lengthy prison sentence would be far more suitable, allowing time for Amrozi to reflect on the futility of his actions.
Simon, UK

He's happy.
We're happy.
Good result all round.

Simon, UK

Strange, very strange. I will never understand the terrorist mind? I'm going to die and I'm happy? I killed innocent people but I'm a hero? Hero to whom, I ask? Terrorists and those that honour them are pure evil and work for Satan. That's my final conclusion.
Walter, USA

Amrozi's sentence doesn't take us half an inch closer to victory over terrorism Andrei Skvarsky, Russia

I don't think capital punishment is acceptable in any case. And Amrozi's sentence definitely doesn't take us half an inch closer to victory over terrorism. Terror is not a problem for law courts to deal with. People's minds need to be changed, and before that happens, intelligence services should do their best. And Amrozi's execution would hardly be a lot of comfort to his victims' families - he seems to be rejoicing in what he calls his martyrdom.
Andrei Skvarsky, Russia

Killing just one mad dog would not make a dent on a rabies epidemic. The challenge for human civilization is to create an environment where people like Amrozi don't emerge.
Shyamon Jayasinghe, Australia

The verdict even if it goes for appeal looks like a fitting reply for an attack. Yes it looks like it, but it is not. Actually this head for head strategy only plays into their hands. A martyr will be a source of motivation for many to follow as history has shown to us. This verdict cannot help to reduce the chances of a future attack and it does not serve any purpose except playing into the international gallery. This is by now what we are used to - an attack and a hunt down. Justice is not revenge, revenge is a failure of justice.
Biju, Switzerland

The death penalty is inappropriate for two reasons: 1. Enough people have already died in this chapter of history 2. Amrozi, and his supporters, regard death as heroism.
John Hannawin, UK

This is a great step forward in the war on terror. The Indonesian Authorities deserve our thanks, respect and support. Two things are for sure: Execute him & he will never again butcher innocent people. Secondly, we cannot fight these religious terrorists with the gloves of civility on.
Roger, England

Fifty years alone in a horrible Indonesian jail would be a better punishment Kristin Jay, Australia

I am disgusted by what this man has done but I still believe Australia should appeal the death sentence given to this terrorist. Apart from the fact that murdering murderers reflects poorly on the morals of a society as a whole, fifty years alone in a horrible Indonesian jail would be a better punishment than giving him the martyrdom that he desires.
Kristin Jay, Australia

If the death penalty was as effective as its promoters claim, surely he'd never have committed the crime in the first place?
Alex M, UK

There are four basic justifications behind the punishing of criminals: deterrent, protection, rehabilitation and vengeance. Capital punishment removes the case for rehabilitation. As a deterrent for future bombers, I doubt it's going to sway anyone so angry and mis-focused. We are then left with protection and vengeance. Since executing this man will give him martyrdom and encourage future fanatics, protection is also a misguided reason. We are left then with vengeance and I don't believe we can justify the killing of anyone on these grounds.
Barny, UK

It doesn't solve the problem. The majority of Muslims in Indonesia does not want secular government.
Zhameer, Singapore

All the comments describe Amrozi as a murderer and he deserves to die because he killed innocent people. That is true, but how about the likes of George Bush and co. How many innocent people were killed in their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Of course people will say that these wars were justified. Others see them as murderers of innocent people as well but they get away with it. It is this discrimination that will breed more Amrozis in the future.
Mudher al-Adnani, UK

Even in this appalling situation, the death penalty is not justified. Capital punishment is not a deterrent and should never be used as a revenge tactic.
Lucy, United Kingdom

The sentence is reasonable and is in accordance with what most relatives of the victims wanted, according to published interviews with them. As for Amrozi and his accomplices, people who rejoice in indiscriminate death, torment and suffering and try to pass it off as the will of Allah serve not Allah but a much darker force.
Peter, Australia

What kind of idiot will want to embrace a religion that murders the innocent? Rob, UK

Re-embrace religion? What kind of idiot will want to embrace a religion that murders the innocent? No religion actually says that it's OK to do this, not even Islam. It is only crazy fundamentalists who kill. If anything, such atrocities only serve to turn people away from the religions they claim to represent. And cowards like Amrozi (and Bin Laden etc) deserve to die.
Rob, UK

Unfortunately this is a no-win situation. Execute him and he'll be a martyr to inspire future terrorists. Imprison him and he could become one of those political prisoners used as a pawn in future hostage situations. It would be far better if we could prevent these atrocities from happening in the first place.
Peter Martin, UK

I am normally against capital punishment but for this case, nothing less is deserved. This is a positive step against terrorism that shows that this sort of act will not be tolerated. The teachings of any religion do not compel or try to persuade people to believe in that religion through violence and terror. The sooner the world is rid of this person, the better.
Hans, Germany

It's time that the whole world took a true stand against this kind of fundamentalism Bryn Roberts, Yorkshire

Whilst martyrdom may be seen as something of a concern in this case, it is important to remember that all martyrs have one thing in common - they are all dead. It's time that the whole world took a true stand against this kind of fundamentalism, from whatever religious background it may stem, and started to deal with these zealots in the manner which they would deal with their enemies, were they to have the opportunity. Well done to Indonesia.
Bryn Roberts, Yorkshire, UK

My reaction? Good riddance. Is the death penalty appropriate? Hell yes. Is this a step forward for the war on terror? Probably not.
Richard, UK

Amrozi has been found guilty of murder. The penalty prevailing for the crime in that country is death. He will be executed... OK, he is not the first and is unlikely to be the last. To the media: Please do not make him the martyr he craves. He is a murderer simple as that! Forget about him and devote no further news time or column inches to him or his twisted cause.
Doug, UK

I'm glad this man has been brought to justice, but the death penalty is never appropriate. It will send the message that violence will be met with violence, rather than setting an example of restraint and mercy. Put Amrozi away for life, but don't kill him because he would be a martyr to terrorists.
Tim, UK

Amrozi will die a murderer not a martyr Adam, UK

"I'll be happy to die a martyr," he said recently. Pleased its not going to happen - Amrozi will die a murderer not a martyr, and although his crime never will, his name will be forgotten within weeks. There are no "positive aspects" to the bombing in Bali, only devastatingly negative ones.
Adam, UK

He's proud of what he's done, and in his eyes he's dying a hero. A lengthy jail term might have deterred more from following in his footsteps.
Andrew, UK

I think the verdict and the recent blast in Jakarta should serve as a reminder to the BBC and the frenzied media pack in general that we are actually in a war and that all the self doubt over Dr. Kelly is inappropriate, dangerous, and likely to get more people killed - not prevent future warfare.
Dave Mate, USA/UK

The death penalty will cheat this man of the punishment he deserves.
Nikolai K, Edinburgh, Scotland

Part of me says that the death penalty is not appropriate here. After all, this fanatic has no fear of death. Therefore, executing him is far too easy for him and will probably create yet another Islamic martyr. Far better to give this terrorist a life sentence (without any possibility of parole) and ensure that he spends the rest of his life behind bars. Let's see how cocky and arrogant he is after spending the next 30 years inside a high security prison. On the other hand, it's possible that some future government will one day release him in some form of amnesty - which is exactly what happened to terrorist murderers in Northern Ireland. Since executed prisoners cannot be released, there is some merit in executing this man. Let the survivors of the Bali bombing and families of those who were killed decide this man's fate. They are uniquely qualified to do so. Of course, the fact that this fanatical killer has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions (on the contrary, he seems positively gleeful) isn't likely to make anyone feel any pity towards him.
Anon, London, UK