Indonesia moves Australian drug smugglers to island prison ahead of expected executions

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JAKARTA, Indonesia — Two convicted Australian drug smugglers arrived Wednesday at an Indonesian island prison where they are to be executed by firing squad along with seven other foreigners despite clemency appeals from several of their governments. An Indonesian is also scheduled to be executed.

The preparations at Nusakambangan Island’s maximum-security prison facilities have been completed, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said. He refused to say when the executions would take place.

Besides the two Australians, a Nigerian national born in Spain was also transferred to the island prison off Indonesia’s main island of Java.

Two other Nigerians, a Filipino woman and four men from Brazil, France, Ghana and Indonesia are also scheduled to be executed. It was not immediately known how many have been transferred to the island.

The planned executions have soured of relations between Indonesia and other countries involved, especially Australia and Brazil. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received phone calls from some foreign leaders asking that the executions be cancelled but has rejected their requests. He has vowed not to grant mercy to drug offenders because Indonesia is suffering a “drug emergency.”

Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto told reporters Wednesday that the government was following Indonesian law carefully in preparing for the executions and was being particularly cautious about the impact on relations with other countries.

Australia has repeatedly pleaded for clemency for its two citizens, Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 33, who were arrested in April 2005 while trying to smuggle more than 8 kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin from Bali to Australia.

Chan and Sukumaran were moved from the Kerobokan Penitentiary on Bali island — where they have spent the last decade — in two police armoured vehicles in a pre-dawn operation involving scores of riot police. They were taken to Nusakambangan Island by plane and then boat. Australian media camped there reported their arrival.

Prison authorities earlier turned away Chan’s older brother, Michael Chan, who attempted a visit. Television video 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 that Chan and Sukumaran did not appear upset as they left the prison. Sukumaran took several pencils in a plastic bag, clothes, a Bible and a drawing book, he said.

The Indonesian government recalled its newly designated ambassador to Brazil, Toto Riyanto, last week 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.

The Spain-born Nigerian, Raheem Agbaje Salami, 45, and 30-year-old Filipino Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso have also been convicted of drug smuggling.

Attorney General Prasetyo said authorities are waiting for the completion of a last-minute judicial review of Veloso’s case.

“Actually, they exhausted their legal options when their clemency request was rejected (by the president) because by asking for the president’s pardon, they admitted that they were guilty and were asking for clemency,” Prasetyo said. “But because they are on death row and this is related to their life, we will respect their legal efforts.”

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.

“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 why many Australians were threatening to never visit Indonesia, a near neighbour.

“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 happens 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.