It is with heavy hearts we report the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran has been carried out.
Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been executed by firing squad in Indonesia.
After an unsuccessful legal battle to save the duo, their executions were two of eight reportedly carried out on at Nusakambangan prison in Indonesia just after midnight at 12.25am Indonesian time (3:35am EST).
The executions apparently happened one after another.
The condemned men reportedly sang Amazing Grace in their final minutes, with Chan and Sukumaran singing the loudest.
Irish-born priest Father Charlie Burrows, who was present at the executions, told News Corp the prisoners were tied with cable ties to crosses about four metres apart.
“When they were being put on the cross for execution, they were singing on the crosses and we were in a tent not too far away from the execution place trying to support them,” Father Burrows said.
He said both the men and their advisers in the tent were singing hymns.
Father Burrows said the group sang Amazing Grace a few times and Chan and Sukumaran seemed to have the loudest voices.
Fairfax correspondent Jewel Topsfield reports Chan and Sukumaran, along with the other six prisoners executed this morning, refused to wear blindfolds while facing the firing squad.
One of the prisoners due to be executed, Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso received a last minute stay of execution after Indonesian President Joko Widodo asked the Indonesian Attorney General, H.M. Prasetyo to delay. (For more on Mary Jane Velso, see this post.)
Related content: ‘Boycott Indonesia’: The world reacts to the executions.
The Australian men were arrested in 2005 after they were caught attempting to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia, as part of the Bali Nine drug smuggling syndicate.
The pair’s legal team, as well as the Australian government and people, made several attempts to appeal for a stay of execution for Chan and Sukumaran.
Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, and Chan and Sukumaran themselves made direct pleas to the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who remained steadfast in his stance.
The pair served a nearly a decade behind bars at Kerobokan prison, becoming respected members of the prison community – Chan as a teacher and leader of the church service, and Sukumaran as an artist and mentor.
Chan also became a husband prior to his execution, marrying fiancee Febyanti Herewila on Monday night in Besi prison, before his family and friends.
Related content: Andrew Chan has married his partner ahead of his execution.
Earlier this year, Chan wrote a letter warning young people of the consequences of smuggling drugs.
“I don’t know what choices you guys are making, however, if anything, I would want you guys to remember is, ‘Is it worth it?’” Chan wrote.
“You are still young and you have some serious decisions to make in your life. What you choose today will make what you become tomorrow,” Chan said in his letter.
The area outside the prison is reported to be swarming with activity as officials leave. The bodies of the men have not yet been removed.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran on this sad day.
Photos from the Keep Hope Alive vigil in Sydney:
Social media reactions to Bali Nine executions
Clive Palmer's response Australian actor Guy Pearce's response Social commentator Jane Caro's response Sir Richard Branson's response Actor David Wenham's response Leader of the opposition Bill Shorten's response Leader of the opposition Bill Shorten's response Actor Sam Neill's response Penny Wong's response Christine Milne's response Annabel Crabb's response Mia Freedman's response Tanya Plibersek's response Journalist Tony Wilson's response Fiona Scott's response Anthony Albanese's response Politician Steven Ciobo's response Fashion Designer Alice McCall's response Actor Jared Leto's response Journalist Myf Warhurst's response Scott Ludlam's response Jason Clare's response Actor Lincoln Younes' response Sarah Hanson-Young's response Comedian Josh Thomas' response Janet Rice's response Tony Burke's response Radio host Dan Debuf's response Musician Jessica Veronica's response Adam Bandt's response Journalist Rohan Connelly's response Journalist Tracey Spicer's response Today show host David Campbell's response
The world reacts to the executions.
Myuran Sukumaran has painted a moving tribute to the Indonesian President.
The TV moment that left us all in disbelief last night.
This is what the world could lose in 72 hours.
‘A heroin overdose killed by brother. But I stand for Mercy.’
Australian celebrities plead: “Save our boys, Mr Abbott.”
The self-portrait that says more than a thousand words about how it feels to face death.
“My life is an absolute waste”: A letter from Andrew Chan
Related content: Julie Bishop – “Myuran and Andrew deserve to live.”
Related: Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran say goodbye to their families.
Top Comments
Congratulations Indonesia? Great way to show the world how heartless you can be
I am deeply sympathetic to Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran and their families - there are zero winners in what has occurred in Bali. I don't agree with the death penalty and i don't believe it to be an equitable punishment for the crime committed. The Indonesian justice system, corruption aside, is deeply flawed and I think the handling and lack of dignity shown to the families is horrendous.
However, I feel that although unjust, unfair and wrong this was the sentence that was handed out ten years ago, and today these people are held up in Australian media as some kind of brave heroes. There has been rolling coverage since last night and every news outlet, tv station and social media feed is flooded.
These men, although rehabilitated, are not brave heroes. Anzacs are heroes. Police Officers are heroes. Firemen are heroes. I have not seen the same type of coverage given to soldiers that were killed in action in Afghanistan in the past ten years. No mention is made of the 41 Australian military personnel that bravely and heroically gave there lives so that we could have better ones.
So whilst abhorrent and deeply flawed, please stop referring to these men as brave. Brave would have been making a decision to choose a better path for themselves ten years ago, away from the drug trade.