Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Friday (Jan 9) said Canberra was asking Jakarta not to execute a convicted Australian drug smuggler, but would not risk friendly relations with Indonesia over the affair.
“We are making urgent representations to the Indonesian government through the usual diplomatic channels,” Abbott said. “We oppose the death penalty for Australians, we oppose it at home – we oppose it abroad,” he told Channel Nine.
Myuran Sukumaran, one of nine Australians arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle 8kg of heroin out of the resort island of Bali, this week learned he had lost a bid for presidential clemency, his final chance to avoid execution. Abbott made it clear Australia would respect the Indonesia justice system.
“But I do have to say that it is incumbent upon us to respect the systems that other countries have,” Abbott told Channel Nine’s Today show. “While I would absolutely deplore the carrying out of the death sentence we are an important partner of Indonesia, friendship with Indonesia is important for Australia, and I want that to continue.”
The other seven members of the “Bali Nine” were given life sentences. One later had her sentenced reduced to 20 years. Indonesia enforces tough punishments for narcotics offences, with strong public support for executing drug traffickers.
President Joko Widodo pledged in December there would be no pardons for drug traffickers on death row, including foreigners. Executions in Indonesia are usually carried out by firing squad.
Story by AFP
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