Indonesia executions: Eight convicted drug smugglers put to death by firing squad despite international outcry

 
An Indonesian police firing squad prepares to cross to the maximum security prison island where the smugglers were being held (Picture: AFP)
Tom Marshall28 April 2015

Eight men convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia have been executed by firing squad.

The group, including Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed just after midnight local time at a prison on the island of Nusakambangan.

A woman from the Philippines, mother-of-two Mary Jane Veloso, was unexpectedly spared at the last minute.

Earlier, Jakarta rejected last-ditch pleas from around the world for reprieves for the two Australian men, four from Nigeria, one from Brazil and one Indonesian man.

Indonesia had given the group and their families just 72 hours’ notice of the planned executions at the weekend.

The move prompted an international outcry, with the United Nations arguing their crimes - ranging from possession of 72kg of marijuana to heroin smuggling - did not warrant the death penalty.

Hours before the expected executions, crowds gathered in cities across Australia to hold vigils for Sukumaran and Chan.

They held placards calling for Australia to respond strongly to its neighbour if the executions proceeded.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told ABC television earlier: "Should these executions proceed in the manner that I anticipate, of course, there will have to be consequences."

Philippine President Benigno Aquino said he had made one last appeal to the Indonesian government to spare Veloso, who was arrested in 2010 after she arrived in Indonesia with 2.6kg of heroin hidden in her suitcase. He argued that she could be a vital witness in prosecuting drug syndicates.

Authorities on Monday granted Australian Chan's final wish, which was to marry his Indonesian girlfriend at the prison.

Indonesia has some of the toughest drugs laws in the world and resumed executions in 2013 after a five-year moratorium.

A Frenchman also convicted of drug offences, Serge Areski Atlaoui, has also been sentenced to death but has an appeal outstanding.

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