Bali nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran to be transferred to execution island on Wednesday

[webfact]

Bali nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran to be transferred to Nusakambangan on Wednesday
Tom Allard

MELBOURNE: -- Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran will be transferred to the execution island of Nusakambangan around noon on Wednesday, it has been announced.

Momock Bambang Samiarso, Bali's chief prosectuor and the man in charge of the transfer, made the announcement after meeting with police, military and other officials.

The reformed drug smugglers can expect to be executed soon after the transfer, with Indonesia's attorney-general saying that the execution by firing squad of the two men and eight other drug felons will happen "ASAP".

Full story: http://www.theage.com.au/world/bali-nine-duo-andrew-chan-and-myuran-sukumaran-to-be-transferred-to-nusakambangan-on-wednesday-20150303-13u5h9.html


-- The Age 2015-03-03

[BKKBrit]

Adios!!

[Chicog]

Surely that should read "allegedly reformed"?

[dean008]

If I was Australian I would be ashamed by the governments attempts to spare the lives of these killers.

[redsox44]

President has stated no amnesty period for drug dealers so it is what it is.

[Gunna]

Surely that should read "allegedly reformed"?

If they hadn't been caught, they would still be smuggling, so not reformed, prevented or inactive.

[DLock]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

[Dannyboy666]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

[DLock]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

Deters me.

So, you are saying it does not deter you and you would be a drug mule?

Interesting.

[bannork]

He didn't say it wouldn't deter him, it might not deter the young and foolish like this gang. Anyone of a reasonable intelligence and sensiblity wouldn't touch drug smuggling of any sort but sadly there are always fools around.They have the death sentence for heroin and amphetamine dealing in Thailand yet every day some hapless fools are paraded before the cameras.

By all accounts these condemned two did a lot of good inside the jail and the extraordinary extent the Indonesians have gone to to execute them- armoured cars, fighter escorts, planes, helicopters beggars belief. When the Malaysians hanged 2 Australians in the 80s it was inside the jail, no need for a massive media circus.Even then a movie was made of their lives, I bet there's one in the pipeline here.

My heart goes out to their families, they've been through hell, and as for the Indonesian President-he's a callous man who one day will have to answer to his almighty Allah- except of course he doesn't exist.

[ezzra]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

That's a fair comment, so if this is the case, than what is the big noise about executing 2 people that

the death penalty didn't deterred them, right? the undeterred will continue to mule drugs

and Indonesia and other countries will continue to execute them, win win for every one.....

[DLock]

Let the death penalty deal with the stupid people.

For the rest of the people, the law works just fine as is.

Just expedite the process.

[JockPieandBeans]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

Whilst this may well be true.

One thing is guaranteed, the death penalty will stop them ever re-offending again.

In this day and age, it may be prudent for Governments to introduce the death penalty for a lot of other crimes as well.

[NeverSure]

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

It will deter these people from doing it again.

[webfact]

Bali 9 execution: Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi appeals to Joko Widodo for clemency
Peter Vincent

MELBOURNE: -- Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi - whom some credit as the most influential musician in the creation of heavy metal music - has appealed to metal-loving Indonesian President Joko Widodo to spare the lives of the two Australians on death row.

He wrote a letter to Widodo which has been translated and is believed to have been delivered to the President's office in Jakarta on Wednesday morning by Australian officials.

On Wednesday, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were transferred from Kerobokan prison to Nusakambangan island, where they are expected to be executed by firing squad.

Iommi wrote: "The lndonesian prison system has had great success in transforming Andrew and Myuran.

"I appeal to you, as a forgiving man, to take note of their transformation. They are now reformed men who are making a positive difference to the lives of their fellow prisoners. That they have been transformed so much is a real credit to the lndonesian authorities. For this reason, I would ask that you stop the execution of Andrew and Myuran."

Full story: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/bali-9-execution-black-sabbaths-tony-iommi-appeals-to-joko-widodo-for-clemency-20150304-13upso.html


-- The Age 2015-03-04

[JockPieandBeans]

Somebody's supply line dried up

[webfact]

Indonesia nearly ready to execute foreign drug smugglers
By NINIEK KARMINI

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia began transferring two Australian prisoners early Wednesday in preparation for the execution by firing squad of nine foreigners and an Indonesian condemned for drug smuggling, as diplomatic squabbles persist over the executions.

The preparations at the execution site have been completed at Nusakambangan Island's maximum-security prison facilities, said Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo.

Besides the two Australians — Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 33 — who have spent the past decade in a Bali prison, Raheem Agbaje Salami, 45, a Nigerian national who was born in Cordova, Spain, and 30-year-old Filipina Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, were also being transferred.

Prasetyo, speaking in the capital, Jakarta, did not give a date for the executions.

Media outside Kerobokan Penitentiary reported Chan and Sukumaran were taken away in two police armored vehicles in a pre-dawn operation involving scores of riot police.

Prison authorities had earlier turned away Chan's older brother Michael Chan who attempted a visit. Television footage showed Michael Chan walking away from the prison with his brother's Indonesian girlfriend, who was in tears.

Prison governor Sudjonggo, who goes by a single name, told reporters Chan and Sukumaran did not appear worried as they left the prison.

Sukumaran took several pencils in a plastic bag, clothes, a bible and a drawing book.

"He said: Thank you. Take care of his friends," Sudjonggo said.

The four convicts being transferred, plus two Nigerians and four men from Brazil, France, Ghana and Indonesia will be executed simultaneously by a firing squad on the prison island off Indonesia's main island of Java. It was not immediately known how many have been transferred to the island.

The Nigerians face execution after their clemency requests were rejected by Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo last month, said Attorney General's office spokesman Tony Spontana.

They are Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise, 39, and Okwudili Oyatanze, 40, whose clemency was rejected after he was caught running drug transactions from behind bars.

Jokowi has received phone calls from some foreign leaders asking that the executions be canceled, but rejected their requests. He vowed not to grant mercy to drug offenders because Indonesia is suffering a "drug emergency."

The Indonesian government last week recalled its newly designated ambassador for Brazil, Toto Riyanto, to protest the postponement of the approval of his credentials by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff amid tensions over the imminent execution of its citizen, Rodrigo Gularte, 42.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called on Indonesia to "reciprocate" for Australia's $1 billion aid package after the 2004 tsunami by sparing his two countrymen.

Abbott said he had not spoken to Widodo since the prison transfer order was given Tuesday, but had made his views clear to the president in a conversation last week.

"Right now millions of Australians are feeling sick in their guts at the prospect of execution for these two," Abbott told reporters.

"I've been saying again and again that this is contrary to Indonesia's national interest and it is contrary to Indonesia's best values," he added.

Abbott said he understood by many Australians were threatening to never visit Indonesia, a near neighbor.

"I can very much understand their position and I think there are millions of Australians who feel quite angry at this time at what's happening," he said.

But Abbott said the bilateral relationship must survive regardless of what happened to the pair.

"Let's remember that a good relationship with Indonesia is very important to this country and whatever might happen in the next few days, the relationship with Indonesia must endure and, over time, it must grow stronger," he said.

Indonesia executed six drug convicts including foreigners in January. More than 130 people are on death row, including 57 drug convicts.
___

Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.



-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-04

[than]

Indonesia is a sovereign country who suffer of drug addict from western country

All country beware their citizen about drug smuggling in Indonesia and other south Asia country..... These people know the situation and risk to play with Indonesian authorities

They played, they loose

It's pity but they must pay for this.....

[Prbkk]

This does nothing to stop drug use in Indonesia. The drugs were not being taken to Indonesia but to Australia, the drug trade in Indonesia is controlled by criminal elements associated with the military ( and quite directly with Joko himself through his appointed advisers).

A couple of minor drug mules die but the real beneficiaries of the drug trade, including the well-connected in Indonesia, continue to operate with impunity, laughing all the way to the bank.

If the Indonesians think they have dipolmatic troubles now with France, Brazil, Holland , Australia, just wait to see what happens when they try to execute the British grandmother who is next on their list.

A pariah state.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Prbkk

[Mosha]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

It deters those who are about to be executed apparently, if you believe the reformed BS.

[Suffinator]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

Actually there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the death penalty is not a deterrent; this is one of the reasons why the death penalty is opposed. On the other side of the debate is that the death penalty is a deterrent in that it no longer allows the so-called 'reformed' criminal to ever again commit the crime in which the death penalty is applied.

In my view there is only one sentence for a drug dealer / trafficker .... the death penalty for it will certainly prevent any repeat and save countless other lives from being affected by their crimes.

[Nowisee]

This does nothing to stop drug use in Indonesia. The drugs were not being taken to Indonesia but to Australia, the drug trade in Indonesia is controlled by criminal elements associated with the military ( and quite directly with Joko himself through his appointed advisers).

A couple of minor drug mules die but the real beneficiaries of the drug trade, including the well-connected in Indonesia, continue to operate with impunity, laughing all the way to the bank.

If the Indonesians think they have dipolmatic troubles now with France, Brazil, Holland , Australia, just wait to see what happens when they try to execute the British grandmother who is next on their list.

A pariah state.

This is what makes what's about to happen a terrible injustice and a good reason why the death sentence should not be used.

Unfortunately, many posters here don't really see it like that. They seem set on killing people and don't see it as a the very troubling punishment that it is.

[brianj1964]

A "terrible injustice" you are joking right? and had they been successful in getting the drugs to Australia, what about the people they would then exploit by selling to and then completing the cycle again and again. they took the gamble and lost, they get what they deserve

[recycled]

He didn't say it wouldn't deter him, it might not deter the young and foolish like this gang. Anyone of a reasonable intelligence and sensiblity wouldn't touch drug smuggling of any sort but sadly there are always fools around.They have the death sentence for heroin and amphetamine dealing in Thailand yet every day some hapless fools are paraded before the cameras.

By all accounts these condemned two did a lot of good inside the jail and the extraordinary extent the Indonesians have gone to to execute them- armoured cars, fighter escorts, planes, helicopters beggars belief. When the Malaysians hanged 2 Australians in the 80s it was inside the jail, no need for a massive media circus.Even then a movie was made of their lives, I bet there's one in the pipeline here.

My heart goes out to their families, they've been through hell, and as for the Indonesian President-he's a callous man who one day will have to answer to his almighty Allah- except of course he doesn't exist.

The Indonesian President does not have to answer to anymore people, he has done that by refusing any convicted drug related mass murderer their freedom once caught. With joy and happiness and as an Aussie, I am relieved they are almost yesterdays news, dead and buried. If leaders of other countries especially the likes of the gutless Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop could find an ounce of courage to get rid of this scum of the earth then maybe a lot of innocent people can be spared. My only complaint is that the whole bloody nine of them should be lined up against the wall together. Utter wretched good for nothing trash, hope your eternity in hell is a joyus one.

[maidee]

better avoid bali for those tourist visa applications ... what if some crooked guy slips one in your luggage ?

even in thailand they arrest you for 0.1 gram

[ronrat]

I'd glady swap these 2 for the lowlife Peter Scully in Indonesia.

[Nowisee]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

A "terrible injustice" you are joking right? and had they been successful in getting the drugs to Australia, what about the people they would then exploit by selling to and then completing the cycle again and again. they took the gamble and lost, they get what they deserve

No, I am not joking. It's not a joking matter. They didn't exploit anyone. They were providing product to someone that has a desire to use heroin. IF those drugs were not illegal, none of this would be an issue.
Ask yourself, why are "these" drugs illegal?
After you answer that, then ask why do the people supplying the drugs walk around without any consequences?.. I'll give you a clue... money. Think back to the days of the Colombian cartels and what they did, why they were able to operate and why they were shut down (if you can even go that far to say)... it will require you to have knowledge of what really is going on and for you to be able to open your mind and eyes ... get your head around it as they say... stop walking blind.

I'm just saying... it's not as black and white as so many paint it...

[brianj1964]

no-one forced them to do it,we clearly have a different opinion, they wanted to make money, they knew the risks, they are intelligent men, now they have paid the ultimate price, they are the ones that were walking blind. as you said

[bannork]

no-one forced them to do it,we clearly have a different opinion, they wanted to make money, they knew the risks, they are intelligent men, now they have paid the ultimate price, they are the ones that were walking blind. as you said

At the risk of sounding repetitive I'd say they weren't intelligent men 10 years ago, rather they were stupid, possibly arrogant, very young men. They've realized their error since and tried to rectify it and lead positive lives in prison helping others. For that I believe they deserve to live, unlike the Nigerian who carried on dealing behind bars!

[Gunna]

What a predicament they have put their families in. I would hate to burden my family with something like this.

But I bet they never stopped and thought about what they were doing, how many lives they could destroy, how people may die. They only thought about quick money.

It has been said repeatedly, but they did know the risks and likely did not believe they would get caught...in fact they recruited others to courier the Heroin, perhaps thinking that they were the smartest people in the room.

Indonesia has every right to put Drug Smugglers to death. I have no issue with that. Justice has run its course. It's time.

Hopefully people learn from this...

. It's Never Been Proven that this Deters Crime...

And how easy will it to be to find drug mules for Bali when these to get executed.

I think a lot of potential candidates will be deterred from volunteering to carry heroin