Australia makes final plea for stay in execution of Bali 9 pair
- 9 years ago
With the diplomatic row between Canberra and Jakarta deepening, Australian officials have made a last-minute plea for a stay in the execution of two convicted drug traffickers.
The case has provoked strong reactions on an international scale, with many calling for the death penalty to be dropped for a lighter sentence.
Race against the clock
Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, leaders of the ‘Bali 9’ drug smuggling ring, have been sentenced to death by firing squad. On Saturday (April 25), they were told they would be executed within 72 hours.
Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop said allegations of corruption during the trial needed to be investigated. The pair’s former lawyer claims a judge in the trial had demanded 130,000 dollars in exchange for a lighter sentence.
Jakarta intervened, according to the lawyers account, and the deal was never struck. Other members of the smuggling ring have had their terms reduced; some from a death sentence to life imprisonment.
Pr
The case has provoked strong reactions on an international scale, with many calling for the death penalty to be dropped for a lighter sentence.
Race against the clock
Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, leaders of the ‘Bali 9’ drug smuggling ring, have been sentenced to death by firing squad. On Saturday (April 25), they were told they would be executed within 72 hours.
Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop said allegations of corruption during the trial needed to be investigated. The pair’s former lawyer claims a judge in the trial had demanded 130,000 dollars in exchange for a lighter sentence.
Jakarta intervened, according to the lawyers account, and the deal was never struck. Other members of the smuggling ring have had their terms reduced; some from a death sentence to life imprisonment.
Pr