JAKARTA, Aug 11: Indo-nesian authorities on Friday delayed by six days the execution of three Christians found guilty in 2001 of violence against Muslims.

“I have received reports from the Central Sulawesi police chief and results from an agreement reached by the police administration and local officials there, that it is now planned after Aug 17,” a police official said.

“Therefore it’s cancelled for tonight,” he said, speaking less than an hour before they would have been killed.

Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marianus Riwu had been due to face a firing squad at 12.15am on Saturday local time (1615 GMT Friday) in Central Sulawesi. Coffins had already been prepared for the men at the prosecutors’ office in Palu, the provincial capital.

Aug 17 is Indonesia’s independence day, with remissions typically granted to prisoners. Murderers, drug traffickers and terrorists are generally not considered, although the president in theory could grant pardons to them.

“The consideration is that in the run-up to Aug 17, there will be various activities. Therefore they will be carried out after that,” the official said.—AFP