Bali bombers to appeal execution

Two of the men have said they are ready to die

Three men convicted over the 2002 Bali bombings are to appeal against their death sentences, a defence lawyer said.

The lawyer, Muhammad Mahendradata, told journalists that the appeal would be filed before the men's scheduled execution on 22 August.

It was not clear how long the appeal could delay their possible execution.

The three men - Amrozi, Ali Gufron and Imam Samudra - were sentenced to death in autumn 2003 for their part in the bombings, which killed 202 people.

Two of the three men - Amrozi and Imam Samudra - said in October 2005 that they would not seek clemency and were reported to have told prosecutors they were "ready to be executed anytime soon".

But Mahendradata said the appeal would argue that the men had been found guilty on the basis of retroactive legislation.

"The criminal code stipulates that if there is any change in the law then the law applied should be beneficial to the defendant," he was quoted as saying by the AP agency.