29th April, 2015
Bali nine pair Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed along with six other death row inmates by firing squad in Indonesia in the earlier hours this morning.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it was with a "very heavy heart" that she confirmed the deaths of the two men, saying gunfire had been heard from Nusakambangan prison island – where the men were held – overnight. The men are believed to have been shot just before 3.30am AEST.
In response, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Australia would be withdrawing its ambassador from Indonesia, calling the deaths "cruel" and "unnecessary" and saying it was a "dark moment" in Australia’s relationship with Indonesia.
He said Australia respected the Indonesian system and sovereignty, "but we do deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual."
He said for that reason, once all courtesies had been extended to the Chan and Sukumaran families, Australia’s’ ambassador would be withdrawn "for consultations".
"I want to stress that this is a very important relationship between Australia and Indonesia but it has suffered as a result of what had been done over the last few hours."
Ms Bishop said Australia’s concern was that the apparent rehabilitation of Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran was not taken into account in the decision to execute the men.
"They were examples of the hope and transformation that can come about through reflection, rehabilitation and remorse…"
– DAVID ADAMS
