First arrest over Bali bombings

There is growing anger against the terrorists in Bali

Indonesian police have made their first arrest in connection with this month's bomb attacks on the island of Bali.

Police said the man had rented a room in Denpasar with one of the suicide bombers.

"This person is strongly suspected of having links with the Bali blasts," deputy national police spokesman Sunarko Artanto said.

Three suicide bombers killed 20 people when they carried out attacks on three restaurants on the tourist island.

The arrested man - identified only as Hasan or with the initials HS - left Bali three days before the deadly attacks, Wahyu Wim Hardjanto, a chief detective in neighbouring East Java province, told the Associated Press.

Police found him on Sunday in Jember, East Java, Mr Hardjanto said.

The detainee has now been sent back to Bali for questioning. Under Indonesia's anti-terrorism law, he can be held for up to seven days before charges are filed.

More than 230 witnesses are said to have been questioned since the attacks on 1 October.

Detainees moved

The people of Bali are preparing to mark the anniversary of the first militant attack on their island, three years ago on Wednesday.

Ahead of the anniversary, three men sentenced to death for involvement in those attacks have been moved from Bali to a more secure prison on the island of Nusakambangan.

The three - Amrozi, Imam Samudra and Mukhlas - were convicted of helping to plan the 12 October bombings, which killed more than 200 people.

Local people on Bali had earlier held a demonstration outside the prison calling for the convicted men to be executed.

Officials gave no reason for the transfer, but correspondents say there has been an upsurge in anger on Bali, following the latest bombings, which have again hit the island's crucial tourist trade.