It makes perfect sense,
Muslims would want to be buried in the ground facing Mecca. Burying him at sea not only denies him that, but also stops any potential hostage situation demanding the body back etc.

Plus they possibly don't want an autopsy of the body done....who knows how much they kicked the shit out of him when they found him...
(The Oscillating Gibbon is eating curried squid, Mon 2 May 2011, 10:33, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

But...
Denying him a 'proper' Muslim burial might also be seen as an insult by the sort of people who are likely to organise reprisals for his killing.

Although those people are probably going to organise reprisals anyway, so, as you rightly say, they have neatly sidestepped a possible hostage situation that way.
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 2 May 2011, 10:43, Reply)

Except the news is stating that the burial was done in accordance with Muslim tradition (or words to that effect).
Detail is sketchy, granted.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 2 May 2011, 14:29, Reply)