Accused Bali bomb mastermind welcomes death penalty

The suspected mastermind of the Bali bombings used his day in court today to thank the prosecutors for demanding a death sentence…

The suspected mastermind of the Bali bombings used his day in court today to thank the prosecutors for demanding a death sentence and said execution by firing squad would bring him closer to God.

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I'd like to say thank you to the prosecution team, which has demanded the death sentence. Because in death we live peacefully, and in death we draw near to God
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Imam Samudra

Imam Samudra, a 33-year-old Muslim computer expert, was speaking to a court that less than a week ago sentenced the "smiling bomber", Amrozi, to death for his role in the bombings of two Bali nightclubs that killed 202 people last October.

"I'd like to say thank you to the prosecution team, which has demanded the death sentence. Because in death we live peacefully, and in death we draw near to God," Samudra told the court.

Wearing the loose white shirt and skull cap he favours to distinguish him as a Muslim believer, he began his statement by reciting verses in Arabic from the Koran.

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"I'm ready to die a martyr," he shouted as he was led from the courtroom. His trial resumes on Thursday.