Justice was denied for three Christian men shot before a firing squad Friday morning in Palu, Indonesia because crucial evidence was ignored prior to their conviction and execution.

Why did the Judge hearing their case refuse to consider the testimony of thirteen key witnesses before handing down his decision? Family, friends and supporters of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva and Marianus Riwu insist the testimonies would have exonerated the men.

The three Christians were accused of masterminding retaliatory attacks by Christian militias against Muslims believed to have been involved in a jihad against Christian villages from December 1998 to April 2000.

Several witnesses said a Christian named Ir. Lateka--not Tibo, da Silva and Riwu--was the mastermind behind the attacks. Lateka was assassinated at a mosque in Kayamanya, Central Sulawesi in May 2000. Others, including a policeman, said accused gang leader Tibo was seen in another village at the time of the attacks, not the village of Walisongo where many of the killings took place.

The three executed Christians said they had come to Poso to help evacuate children from a Catholic school, but they did admit involvement in some of the fighting in the area. Did this admission of guilt warrant their execution?

The names of at least a dozen men believed to have planned the Poso conflict were made public in April 2000. That was one month before the incidents allegedly masterminded by the three executed Christians. For more information, click here.

The head of Indonesian State intelligence reportedly acknowledged that Muslims Omar Al Farouq, Agus Dwikarna and Al Qaeda jihadist trainers led attacks against Christian villages in Poso at the time. Why have they not faced trial and execution?

What about the Muslims responsible for the beheadings of three Christian school girls in Tentena one year ago, or the bombing of Christian marketplaces in Palu and Tentena that killed more than 30 people last year? How about those responsible for the assassination of pastors Susanti and Tadjodja? The Muslim found guilty of killing pastor Tadjodja and his nephew received a prison sentence of only 13-months.

Seem like a double standard?  

Two years ago, Amnesty International quoted President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono as saying those who commit a crime “must go through a credible court system.”

Yudoyono implied all accused citizens deserve a fair trial. His words are now ringing hollow in the ears of Indonesian Christians in the aftermath of these unjust executions.