· Mary Jane Veloso receives last-minute temporary reprieve
· Read all the previous day’s developments
· *Who are the eight people executed by Indonesia?*
· Decade of turmoil that led to Chan and Sukumaran’s fate
· Timeline of the Bali Nine saga
3.43pm AEST
Speaking of *Mary Jane Veloso*, it seems several newspapers in the Philippines were caught out by her last minute reprieve, and instead ran front pages today announcing that she had died. Reports that Veloso had been spared began to surface just before midnight Indonesian time - that’s 1am in Manila.
This from AFP:
“Death came before dawn,” read the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s dramatic headline, above a large photograph of condemned Filipina maid Mary Jane Veloso, 30, whose plight has captivated the nation.
Manila’s best-selling Filipino-language tabloid Abante ran a black-themed front page together with a picture of Veloso, head bowed, and a headline in capitals that translates as: “Farewell, Mary Jane”.
3.19pm AEST
*Mary Jane Veloso, *the Filipina woman who was granted a last minute stay of execution last night, has always maintained that she didn’t know she was carrying heroin into Indonesia.
This extract is from an unedited account of her story, as told to The Rappler. You can read the whole thing, complete with some pretty heartbreaking illustrations, here.
The Aluminum Foil open and inside the Aluminum Foil have a powder the color is a lightbrown… the men check the powder… then the powder change to become solid! The men said.. you know this? I answer I don’t know what s that?? All laughing he said this is kind of Drugs a Heroin… Oh my God !!! my body feel so cold… I cant speak any thing… only I can do that time… cry and cry!!! Because I know my life finish!!!
3.02pm AEST
Well, it’s been an intense and exhausting 24 hours so I will take a moment to break down the key points:
2.37pm AEST
A rundown of a few the front pages of newspapers in Indonesia today, from *Kate Lamb*:
The main English dailies, T*he Jakarta Post* and *The Jakarta Globe* are both carrying the execution as the top story. *Koran Tempo* is leading with the story of *Mary Jane Veloso* and the decision to spare her life in the final hours before she was scheduled to face the firing squad.
Kompas, one of the most read papers across the country, does not even show the story on the front page. The lead story is about the arrest of the *Abraham Samad*, the non-active head of the country’s anti-corruption body, who was targeted by the national police after he named a head cop a corruption suspect.
Front pages of Indonesian newspapers after the executions #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/1dgu1VLrMy
@bkjabour pic.twitter.com/6E40P8dkRo
2.17pm AEST
Neighbours of *Andrew Chan*’s parents in Sydney have spoken about his execution.
I didn’t think it was going to happen...it’s not fair, it’s really not fair.
2.05pm AEST
Scrutiny of the role of the Australian federal police in the arrest of the Bali nine in Indonesia is intensifying as the day goes on.
Now Independent senator *Nick Xenophon *has called for a fresh review of the actions of the AFP and two other politicians are presenting legislation to parliament to outlaw information-sharing that could lead to the death penalty being applied in foreign countries, my colleague *Daniel Hurst* reports.
The legislation to be introduced by lower house MPs *Clive Palmer* and *Cathy McGowan *would create a new offence for public officials and former public officials “who disclose information resulting in a person being tried, investigated, prosecuted or punished for an offence that carries the death penalty in a foreign country”.
An official found guilty of such a disclosure could face a jail term of up to 15 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of one year.
1.50pm AEST
And now for a comment on the executions from a completely unexpected source: Guns ‘n’ Roses frontman *Axl Rose *has spoken out in support of *Mary Jane Veloso* and criticised Indonesia for carrying out the other executions.
1. It's deeply troubling President Widodo ignoring International outcry went thru w/8 of the executions.
2. Let's pray Miss Veloso's reprieve is permanent.
3. Widodo's refusal 2 postpone the executions until all legal challenges n' investigations of corruption r resolved is inexcusable.
4. 4 Widodo 2 b out of the country during his big statement refusing 2 take calls or read any last minute pleas 4 the condemned is cowardice
5. The People of Indonesia deserve better.
1.43pm AEST
The Indonesian foreign minister, *Retno Marsudi,* has also responded to reports that Australia will recall its ambassador in Jakarta, noting that it is Australia’s right to do so, reports *Kate Lamb*.
The withdrawal of the ambassador, calling the ambassador for consultation, is the right of the sending country, in this case the right of Australia,” Marsudi said on the sidelines of an event at Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Every time we communicate with Australia, we always emphasise the desire of Indonesia to continue the good relationship. For Indonesia, Australia is an important partner, and I think for Australia, Indonesia is an important partner.”
1.25pm AEST
Indonesia’s attorney general *HM Prasetyo* says the withdrawal of the Australian ambassador from the country is only “momentary”, *Dina* *Indrasafitri *reports.
The Netherlands have done the same thing in the past. Brazil has done the same thing. I think this is just a momentary reaction, and this will be settled within the diplomatic sphere. What we are doing is carrying out the court decision. Every case should have an end.”
I would like to say that an execution is not a pleasant thing. It is not a fun job. But we must do it in order to save the nation from the dangers of drugs. We are not making enemies of the country from which the executed last night came from. What we are fighting against are drug related crimes.
Therefore, I would like to offer my condolences, on the execution of those who were on the death row, to their families, to their home countries. Once again, we are not against the countries, but we are fighting a war against the horrible drug crimes that threaten our nation’s survival.
1.23pm AEST
12.57pm AEST
The speculation for the reason for *Mary Jane Veloso*’s temporary stay of execution has been confirmed, my colleague *Kate Lamb *reports:
On Wednesday morning the spokesman for the attorney general, *Tony Spontana*, confirmed the life of *Mary Jane Veloso* had been spared due to a last-minute appeal from the government of the Philippines.
The execution of Mary Jane has been postponed due to the request of the Philippines president [*Benigno Aquino III*] in relation to an alleged human trafficker who recently gave herself up in the Philippines,” Spontana told reporters.
The alleged human trafficker turned herself into police in Manila on Tuesday.12.54pm AEST
You can leave messages of condolence for the families of the men executed in Indonesia here on the Amnesty International page. Below are some of the messages.
Messages of condolence left for the families of the men executed in Indonesia https://t.co/67fAilN3dn pic.twitter.com/wfynlmEp2E
pic.twitter.com/FkVbwaj23l
pic.twitter.com/FkVbwaj23l
12.48pm AEST
My colleague and Mercy Campaign co-founder, *Brigid Delaney,* has written about preparing for the execution of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran* after years of hoping and working for clemency.
They tried to make it imaginable – the Indonesian industrial death complex – they made it all too real with their fighter planes and tanks and ghoulish selfies, and their construction of coffins and crucifixes and their rules and odd insistence that the condemned be ‘psychologically fit’ for execution.
They did all this. Yet it is still barely imaginable.
12.25pm AEST
The executions have drawn attention once again to the role of the *Australian federal police* in the initial arrests of the Bali Nine. My colleague *Paul Farrell *has a look at the legal implications of the AFP tipping off Indonesian authorities:
In 2006 four of the Bali Nine – *Scott Rush*, *Renae Lawrence*, *Michael Czugaj* and *Martin Stevens* – initiated a case in the federal court to gain access to documents about the nature of the information provided by the AFP and that revealed substantial information about its role.
The application, which is known as “information discovery”, is a legal process that was initiated with the intention of gaining access to documents about the AFP’s role in order to advance three potential causes of actions.
The circumstances revealed in this application for preliminary discovery suggest there is a need for the minister administering the *Australian Federal Police Act 1979* and the commissioner of police to address the procedures and protocols followed by members of the *Australian federal police *when providing information to the police forces of another country in circumstances which predictably could result in the charging of a person with an offence that would expose that person to the risk of the death penalty in that country. Especially is this so where the person concerned is an Australian citizen and the information is provided in the course of a request being made by the AFP for assistance from that other country’s police force. This said, the application to this court must be rejected. It reveals no basis for a reasonable cause to believe that the applicants may have a right to obtain relief in this court. Any later proceedings brought on the bases foreshadowed in this application would be purely speculative in character or else would have no prospects of success.
12.10pm AEST
Flowers have been laid and candles lit outside the home of Andrew Chan’s parents in Sydney, Australia.
11.42am AEST
The execution of Brazilian *Rodrigo Gularte* by an Indonesian firing squad looks set to worsen already deteriorating relations between the two emerging economies, my colleague* Jon Watts *reports:Despite seven foreign ministry appeals for clemency and a personal telephone call by president *Dilma Rousseff*, the Indonesian government went ahead with the shooting on Wednesday.
This has generated front-page headlines in Brazil and angry comments from the foreign ministry, particularly because Gularte had been twice diagnosed with schizophrenia, which – lawyers argued – made him unfit to stand trial.
Rousseff had asked Indonesian president *Joko Widodo* for the suspension of the death penalty on the grounds of doubts about the convict’s mental health.
11.34am AEST
A British grandmother on death row in Kerobokan prison, which she shared with Australians *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*,* *says she is saddened by their executions.
In a statement released through her lawyer,* Lindsay Sandiford*, 58, who was sentenced to death in 2013 for attempting to smuggle £1.6m of cocaine into Indonesia, says Chan counselled her through the difficult time.
I didn’t know those men at the time they committed those crimes 10 years ago. What I can say is that the Andrew and Myuran I knew were men who did good and touched the lives of a great many people, including myself.
Myu and Andrew used their time in Kerobokan to make life better for everyone around them. They introduced the concept of rehabilitation to a prison that never had it before.
11.24am AEST
We have photos from the aftermath of the news breaking that Filipina *Mary Jane Veloso*’s life had been spared. Here are her sisters, *Marites Laurente* and *Darling Veloso,* arriving back from “execution island” after Mary Jane was granted a stay on her execution.
11.06am AEST
Here is a very insightful report on what was happening diplomatically behind the scenes between Australia and Indonesia in the lead-up to the executions, and what the fallout looks like for the relationship between the two countries, from my colleagues *Lenore Taylor *and *Gabrielle Chan*. In it, they write:
The unsuccessful political and diplomatic effort to appeal to new Indonesian president Joko Widodo has been intense, increasingly desperate, often ‘creative’, but always couched in careful language of respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty as hope remained that the president might grant clemency.
Now we can say what these deaths were – the torture and murder of human beings by a neighbouring state.
10.48am AEST
Here are photos of the eight men who were executed in Indonesia in the early hours of Wednesday morning, all on drug smuggling charges.
They were:
10.34am AEST
In Brazil there is also great anger at the execution of *Rodrigo Gularte, *a Brazilian man diagnosed with schizophrenia. My colleague *Jonathan Watts* filed this report hours before the eight men were killed:
Indonesia’s decision to execute a Brazilian drug smugger has prompted an angry response in his home country, where the case has made front-page news.
*Rodrigo Gularte*, who has twice been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is set to be the second Brazilian to be shot by firing squad in Indonesia this year.
In a letter sent on Monday to the government in Jakarta, the Brazilian foreign ministry has declared the death sentence “unacceptable” and “contrary to the common sense and basic standards of human rights protection”.
10.26am AEST
Australia’s credibility in arguing for clemency for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran was tarnished by Canberra’s inconsistency about the death penalty, one of the men’s lawyers, *Peter Morrissey* SC, says.
In 2003, when two of the Bali bombers were sentenced to death, both the government and the opposition of the time in Australia supported it.
Our credibility was a little tarnished there … We were rather applauding the death penalty when it came to the Bali bombers. That fact caused a lot of resentment. We need to be very consistent about it [and] that may have affected our credibility within Indonesia on this occasion,” Morrisey said, speaking on ABC radio this morning.
10.21am AEST
We have footage of the Australian prime minister,* Tony Abbott*, and the foreign affairs minister, *Julie Bishop, *speaking after the execution of Australians *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*. Abbott announced the withdrawal of Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia and said the relationship “simply cannot be business as usual”.
My colleague *Daniel Hurst* has filed a full report on the Australian government’s response.
10.16am AEST
Australia’s Human Rights Commission was pleading for clemency for *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran *right up until yesterday. The president of the commission, Gillian Triggs, has now spoken on the executions:
Today is a sad day for #humanrights. May the tragic executions of Andrew & Myuran stimulate an end to the death penalty throughout Asia
My thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew and Myuran’s family and friends #IStandForMercy #EndTheDeathPenalty
10.09am AEST
The lawyer for Filipina *Mary Jane Veloso* has described the moment her family found out she had been granted a stay on her execution, just hours before she was due to be killed, *Dina* *Indrasafitri* reports.
*Edre Olalia*, from the National Union for People’s Lawyers, said that he found out through bits and pieces of information, before then reading about it in a television station’s running text.
It was a very heart-wrenching moment, when [Veloso’s family] left the hotel and they had to leave towards Jakarta and just wait for the body of their mother, their daughter and their sister. Then everything turned around.
It’s not over till it’s over and that has been validated by what happened tonight.
10.05am AEST
The Australian senator *Jacqui Lambie *is continuing her calls for aid to Indonesia to be cut after the executions of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran.*
Now she is demanding $50m be redirected to Nepan from Australia’s foreign aid for Indonesia. Lambie also wants Australians to boycott Indonesia, specifically Bali, as a holiday destination.
What is happening in Indonesia right now is disgusting. Indonesia’s president is playing at the art of war. He is toying with those boys and using them as a political pawn.
9.41am AEST
*Mary Jane Veloso*’s husband, *Michael*, has publicly thanked the Indonesian president, *Joko Widodo,* for granting her a reprieve from execution in the hours before she was due to be killed.
Veloso was granted the reprieve after her native Philippines appealed for her to be a witness in the trial against the woman who allegedly trafficked her.
Talagang may himala po palang dumating sa anak ko.
A miracle really came to my daughter.
We are relieved that the execution of Mary Jane Veloso was not carried out tonight. The Lord has answered our prayers.
9.25am AEST
A vigil organised by the Mercy Campaign was held in Sydney last night. This is a very moving video from it, only a minute long but still quite tough to watch. It shows *Myuran Sukumaran’s *cousin speaking about the reformed men.
9.13am AEST
Locals near where the eight foreigners were executed in Indonesia generally supported the stance of the president, *Joko Widodo*, *Dina Indrasafitri *reports from Cilacap.
Indrasafitri – who has been in Cilacap, which is just across from the island where the executions took place – said there were hundreds of journalists as well as dozens, possibly hundreds of locals, creating an “intense” atmosphere. She said the locals were mostly there out of curiosity, not to protest or make any political statements.
I’ve had conversations with the locals since I came here and most of them are saying, ‘Well, I do feel sorry for them, we’re all human beings, but what can you do? You made a mistake, you violated the law, you have to deal with the punishment.’
There’s a justification going on, [people are saying] ‘The drugs are really bad and I’ve seen victims of drugs, they can end up in really bad situation.’ One of them was saying she agreed with Joko and saw on TV Joko was saying how bad the drug problem was. The sort of sentiment I’ve been getting, most of them are saying, ‘We’ve been seeing this on television and we want to see it for ourselves.’
8.40am AEST
The families of Australians *Myuran Sukumaran* and *Andrew Chan* have released a statement about the executions.
In full:
Today we lost Myuran and Andrew. Our sons, our brothers. In the 10 years since they were arrested they did all the could to make amends, helping many others. They asked for mercy, but there was none.
They were immensely grateful for all the support they received. We too, will be forever grateful.
8.20am AEST
You can read profiles of the eight people executed in Indonesia here. Filipina *Mary Jane Veloso* and Frenchman *Serge Atlaoui* were given temporary reprieves.
8.14am AEST
The bodies of the foreigners executed in Indonesia, including *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran, *have arrived via ambulance on the mainland of Indonesia. It will be another 10 hours or so before they reach Jakarta. The Guardian’s *Dina Indrasafitri* reports there were about five ambulances.
Grim...ambulances with coffins Andrew Chan and Muyuran Sukumaran have arrived at the mainland pic.twitter.com/rHr0M6osJe
7.59am AEST
Australia is yet to be formally notified of the executions but the foreign affairs minister, *Julie Bishop,* says we can assume it has happened. Bishop says the bodies of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran* will be brought to Australia for burial.
I was in contact with the families overnight. They are in a devastating position and I understand that they will put out a statement later this morning. Our concern centres on the fact that the apparent rehabilitation of Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran was not taken into account.
I expect to be able to discuss further aspects of our relationship with Indonesia when our ambassador, *Paul Grigson*, returns to Australia at the end of this week.
Well it is very unusual, indeed unprecedented, for an ambassador to be withdrawn so I don’t want to minimise the gravity of what we’ve done. Ministerial contacts have been suspended for some time once it became apparent that the executions were likely, ministerial contacts were suspended and they will remain suspended for a period. Apart from that, I don’t want to personalise this because it’s important that the relationship between the Australian government and the Indonesian government continue.
The involvement of the Australian federal police was reviewed a number of years ago and changes were made. We are satisfied that the changes that are in place were appropriate but I don’t believe today is the time to look for recriminations. Now is a time to be thinking of the Chan and Sukumaran families to spare a thought for what they are going through today and to provide them with all the support and assistance that we can. It’s an appalling situation for them.
First of all I absolutely understand people’s anger. I absolutely understand people’s anger. Yes, the drug trade is evil and these two committed a serious crime. But particularly given the last 10 years and the very thorough rehabilitation and reform that these two demonstrated, it is, as I said, cruel and unnecessary what has taken place. So I absolutely understand people’s anger. On the other hand, we do not want to make a difficult situation worse and the relationship between Australia and Indonesia is important, remains important, will always be important, will become more important as time goes by. So I would say to people yes, you are absolutely entitled to be angry but we’ve got to be very careful to ensure that we do not allow our anger to make a bad situation worse.
7.40am AEST
The prime minister, *Tony Abbott,* has announced Australia will withdraw the Australian ambassador to Indonesia as result of the executions of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*.
Speaking in Canberra he said:
Australia respects the Indonesian system. We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty but we do deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual.
I want to stress that this is a very important relationship between Australia and Indonesia but it has suffered as a result of what’s been done over the last few hours. Whatever people think of the death penalty, whatever people think of drug crime, the fact is that these two families have suffered an appalling tragedy and I’m sure that every Australian’s thoughts and prayers will be with those families at this time.
7.30am AEST
*Julie Bishop* foreshadowed “consequences” ahead of the execution of Australians *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*, my colleague *Daniel Hurst* reports in a piece about the political reaction in Australia you can read here. He reports:
Australia must respond strongly to Indonesia’s execution of two citizens, the Labor opposition said, as MPs from all sides of politics expressed their anger at the “cruel and devastating loss”.
7.22am AEST
Australia’s foreign affairs minister,* Julie Bishop,* will address media at 7.30am to speak about Australia’s response to the executions. Here are summaries from Indonesia, Australia and around the world in the hours since the death, filed by AAP.
I have just lost a courageous brother to a flawed Indonesian legal system. I miss you already RIP my Little Brother.
I am sorry. I failed. I lost.
Chan and *Myuran Sukumaran*’s Indonesian lawyer, *Todung Mulya Lubis*.
We stand in solidarity with the families of all those who were brutally executed in this senseless, tragic and wasteful act of state-sanctioned murder.
It’s awful, I know, but the two boys died well. They made their preparations, they were dignified. They’re strong against the death penalty, they were supportive of their families.
Chan and Sukumaran’s lawyer, *Peter Morrissey:*
Lives lost. Nothing gained.
The opposition frontbencher *Tony Burke:*
Those set to be executed are living proof of capacity to reform and rehabilitate offenders into productive members of society.
7.04am AEST
Journalists are reporting that *Mary Jane Veloso*, who was granted a reprieve from the execution squad, is on her way back to Wirogunan prison.
Her lawyer has tweeted about her last-minute reprieve, to testify in a trial against an alleged drug smuggler and people trafficker.
Never really over till it's over. What a rollercoaster ride that saps emotions &!tests grit.
See you soon Mary Jane! We're bringing back your little boys to you!
7.00am AEST
We are hearing that Australia’s foreign affairs minister, *Julie Bishop*, will address the media about the execution of *Andrew Chan* and * Myuran Sukumaran* in the next couple of hours.
The Greens leader,* Christine Milne, *has issued a statement calling the execution a “tragedy” and saying Chan and Sukumaran will be remembered for overcoming their past to live meaningful lives.
Capital punishment must be abolished wherever in the world it is still carried out. We in Australia must continue to advocate for an end to capital punishment and promote human rights around the world, especially in our region. The lives of these two Australians have been ended by firing squad at the direction of the Indonesian government. I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms.
Indonesia has not just robbed two young men of their lives but robbed itself of two examples of the strengths of its justice system. These executions significantly weaken Indonesia’s ability to plead mercy for its own citizens facing execution around the world. As a close friend and neighbour of Indonesia, Australia is deeply hurt that our pleas for mercy were ignored.
6.46am AEST
Here’s a quick glance at the front pages of newspapers coming out in the hours after the deaths of the eight people executed in Indonesia.
In Brisbane, Australia, the Courier-Mail held its presses to put out a 4am edition after the men had been killed.
Today's editorial - Indonesia’s antics served only to insult and offend: http://t.co/x46XI0eUef #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/qlaMNemceS
Front Page, April 29: Eight drug convicts executed despite concerted clemency calls from foreign leaders pic.twitter.com/4tVeKnOnRK
First edition of today's paper, p1. pic.twitter.com/LqFF1SAa3E
6.40am AEST
The eight prisoners who were executed in Indonesia a few hours ago were initially denied a visit from a spiritual adviser from their religion. This decision was reversed and ABC is reporting the prisoners, including *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran, *were allowed their last rites.
An ABC correspondent, *Greg Jennett*, who is in Indonesia, reports:
They would have said a farewell after being blessed and given the last rites at one point.
I expect and we have had indications that they won’t say any more. They’re going to leave Cilacap, they’re going to try to be as obscure as they can to make their way home, to go back home for funeral services. The bodies will go quite quickly, so that puts some urgency in the travels of the families as well. Now, there has been a kind of media strategy on the part of the Chan and Sukumaran families to display their final grief or at least be open to the media. However, I think things change substantially this morning and there’s no longer any reason, no purpose to lobbying any further. So I think for that reason they will largely disappear from public view until the funeral services in Australia.
6.39am AEST
Australian political leaders have been tweeting as they wake up to the news* *that* Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran* have been executed:
The opposition leader, *Bill Shorten*:
Our worst fears have been realised. Labor condemns the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, in the strongest possible terms.
The death penalty is barbaric and inhumane torture. Murder is murder.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Andrew and Myuran. This is a cruel and devastating loss.
For the record, for me the death penalty is an ethical issue. I cannot accept that it is justified in any country for any offence.
6.29am AEST
Hello, it is almost three hours since Indonesia executed eight foreign prisoners who were all convicted on drug charges. *Mary Jane Veloso, *from the Philippines, was given a last-minute reprieve to ensure she can testify at the trial of an alleged drug smuggler and people trafficker.
Australians* Myuran Sukumaran *and *Andrew Chan* were in the group executed about 12.30am local time on the prison island of Nusa Kambangan, off the coast of Java. Australia is just waking to the news.
Continue reading... Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.
· Read all the previous day’s developments
· *Who are the eight people executed by Indonesia?*
· Decade of turmoil that led to Chan and Sukumaran’s fate
· Timeline of the Bali Nine saga
3.43pm AEST
Speaking of *Mary Jane Veloso*, it seems several newspapers in the Philippines were caught out by her last minute reprieve, and instead ran front pages today announcing that she had died. Reports that Veloso had been spared began to surface just before midnight Indonesian time - that’s 1am in Manila.
This from AFP:
“Death came before dawn,” read the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s dramatic headline, above a large photograph of condemned Filipina maid Mary Jane Veloso, 30, whose plight has captivated the nation.
Manila’s best-selling Filipino-language tabloid Abante ran a black-themed front page together with a picture of Veloso, head bowed, and a headline in capitals that translates as: “Farewell, Mary Jane”.
3.19pm AEST
*Mary Jane Veloso, *the Filipina woman who was granted a last minute stay of execution last night, has always maintained that she didn’t know she was carrying heroin into Indonesia.
This extract is from an unedited account of her story, as told to The Rappler. You can read the whole thing, complete with some pretty heartbreaking illustrations, here.
The Aluminum Foil open and inside the Aluminum Foil have a powder the color is a lightbrown… the men check the powder… then the powder change to become solid! The men said.. you know this? I answer I don’t know what s that?? All laughing he said this is kind of Drugs a Heroin… Oh my God !!! my body feel so cold… I cant speak any thing… only I can do that time… cry and cry!!! Because I know my life finish!!!
3.02pm AEST
Well, it’s been an intense and exhausting 24 hours so I will take a moment to break down the key points:
2.37pm AEST
A rundown of a few the front pages of newspapers in Indonesia today, from *Kate Lamb*:
The main English dailies, T*he Jakarta Post* and *The Jakarta Globe* are both carrying the execution as the top story. *Koran Tempo* is leading with the story of *Mary Jane Veloso* and the decision to spare her life in the final hours before she was scheduled to face the firing squad.
Kompas, one of the most read papers across the country, does not even show the story on the front page. The lead story is about the arrest of the *Abraham Samad*, the non-active head of the country’s anti-corruption body, who was targeted by the national police after he named a head cop a corruption suspect.
Front pages of Indonesian newspapers after the executions #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/1dgu1VLrMy
@bkjabour pic.twitter.com/6E40P8dkRo
2.17pm AEST
Neighbours of *Andrew Chan*’s parents in Sydney have spoken about his execution.
I didn’t think it was going to happen...it’s not fair, it’s really not fair.
2.05pm AEST
Scrutiny of the role of the Australian federal police in the arrest of the Bali nine in Indonesia is intensifying as the day goes on.
Now Independent senator *Nick Xenophon *has called for a fresh review of the actions of the AFP and two other politicians are presenting legislation to parliament to outlaw information-sharing that could lead to the death penalty being applied in foreign countries, my colleague *Daniel Hurst* reports.
The legislation to be introduced by lower house MPs *Clive Palmer* and *Cathy McGowan *would create a new offence for public officials and former public officials “who disclose information resulting in a person being tried, investigated, prosecuted or punished for an offence that carries the death penalty in a foreign country”.
An official found guilty of such a disclosure could face a jail term of up to 15 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of one year.
1.50pm AEST
And now for a comment on the executions from a completely unexpected source: Guns ‘n’ Roses frontman *Axl Rose *has spoken out in support of *Mary Jane Veloso* and criticised Indonesia for carrying out the other executions.
1. It's deeply troubling President Widodo ignoring International outcry went thru w/8 of the executions.
2. Let's pray Miss Veloso's reprieve is permanent.
3. Widodo's refusal 2 postpone the executions until all legal challenges n' investigations of corruption r resolved is inexcusable.
4. 4 Widodo 2 b out of the country during his big statement refusing 2 take calls or read any last minute pleas 4 the condemned is cowardice
5. The People of Indonesia deserve better.
1.43pm AEST
The Indonesian foreign minister, *Retno Marsudi,* has also responded to reports that Australia will recall its ambassador in Jakarta, noting that it is Australia’s right to do so, reports *Kate Lamb*.
The withdrawal of the ambassador, calling the ambassador for consultation, is the right of the sending country, in this case the right of Australia,” Marsudi said on the sidelines of an event at Bidakara Hotel in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Every time we communicate with Australia, we always emphasise the desire of Indonesia to continue the good relationship. For Indonesia, Australia is an important partner, and I think for Australia, Indonesia is an important partner.”
1.25pm AEST
Indonesia’s attorney general *HM Prasetyo* says the withdrawal of the Australian ambassador from the country is only “momentary”, *Dina* *Indrasafitri *reports.
The Netherlands have done the same thing in the past. Brazil has done the same thing. I think this is just a momentary reaction, and this will be settled within the diplomatic sphere. What we are doing is carrying out the court decision. Every case should have an end.”
I would like to say that an execution is not a pleasant thing. It is not a fun job. But we must do it in order to save the nation from the dangers of drugs. We are not making enemies of the country from which the executed last night came from. What we are fighting against are drug related crimes.
Therefore, I would like to offer my condolences, on the execution of those who were on the death row, to their families, to their home countries. Once again, we are not against the countries, but we are fighting a war against the horrible drug crimes that threaten our nation’s survival.
1.23pm AEST
12.57pm AEST
The speculation for the reason for *Mary Jane Veloso*’s temporary stay of execution has been confirmed, my colleague *Kate Lamb *reports:
On Wednesday morning the spokesman for the attorney general, *Tony Spontana*, confirmed the life of *Mary Jane Veloso* had been spared due to a last-minute appeal from the government of the Philippines.
The execution of Mary Jane has been postponed due to the request of the Philippines president [*Benigno Aquino III*] in relation to an alleged human trafficker who recently gave herself up in the Philippines,” Spontana told reporters.
The alleged human trafficker turned herself into police in Manila on Tuesday.12.54pm AEST
You can leave messages of condolence for the families of the men executed in Indonesia here on the Amnesty International page. Below are some of the messages.
Messages of condolence left for the families of the men executed in Indonesia https://t.co/67fAilN3dn pic.twitter.com/wfynlmEp2E
pic.twitter.com/FkVbwaj23l
pic.twitter.com/FkVbwaj23l
12.48pm AEST
My colleague and Mercy Campaign co-founder, *Brigid Delaney,* has written about preparing for the execution of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran* after years of hoping and working for clemency.
They tried to make it imaginable – the Indonesian industrial death complex – they made it all too real with their fighter planes and tanks and ghoulish selfies, and their construction of coffins and crucifixes and their rules and odd insistence that the condemned be ‘psychologically fit’ for execution.
They did all this. Yet it is still barely imaginable.
12.25pm AEST
The executions have drawn attention once again to the role of the *Australian federal police* in the initial arrests of the Bali Nine. My colleague *Paul Farrell *has a look at the legal implications of the AFP tipping off Indonesian authorities:
In 2006 four of the Bali Nine – *Scott Rush*, *Renae Lawrence*, *Michael Czugaj* and *Martin Stevens* – initiated a case in the federal court to gain access to documents about the nature of the information provided by the AFP and that revealed substantial information about its role.
The application, which is known as “information discovery”, is a legal process that was initiated with the intention of gaining access to documents about the AFP’s role in order to advance three potential causes of actions.
The circumstances revealed in this application for preliminary discovery suggest there is a need for the minister administering the *Australian Federal Police Act 1979* and the commissioner of police to address the procedures and protocols followed by members of the *Australian federal police *when providing information to the police forces of another country in circumstances which predictably could result in the charging of a person with an offence that would expose that person to the risk of the death penalty in that country. Especially is this so where the person concerned is an Australian citizen and the information is provided in the course of a request being made by the AFP for assistance from that other country’s police force. This said, the application to this court must be rejected. It reveals no basis for a reasonable cause to believe that the applicants may have a right to obtain relief in this court. Any later proceedings brought on the bases foreshadowed in this application would be purely speculative in character or else would have no prospects of success.
12.10pm AEST
Flowers have been laid and candles lit outside the home of Andrew Chan’s parents in Sydney, Australia.
11.42am AEST
The execution of Brazilian *Rodrigo Gularte* by an Indonesian firing squad looks set to worsen already deteriorating relations between the two emerging economies, my colleague* Jon Watts *reports:Despite seven foreign ministry appeals for clemency and a personal telephone call by president *Dilma Rousseff*, the Indonesian government went ahead with the shooting on Wednesday.
This has generated front-page headlines in Brazil and angry comments from the foreign ministry, particularly because Gularte had been twice diagnosed with schizophrenia, which – lawyers argued – made him unfit to stand trial.
Rousseff had asked Indonesian president *Joko Widodo* for the suspension of the death penalty on the grounds of doubts about the convict’s mental health.
11.34am AEST
A British grandmother on death row in Kerobokan prison, which she shared with Australians *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*,* *says she is saddened by their executions.
In a statement released through her lawyer,* Lindsay Sandiford*, 58, who was sentenced to death in 2013 for attempting to smuggle £1.6m of cocaine into Indonesia, says Chan counselled her through the difficult time.
I didn’t know those men at the time they committed those crimes 10 years ago. What I can say is that the Andrew and Myuran I knew were men who did good and touched the lives of a great many people, including myself.
Myu and Andrew used their time in Kerobokan to make life better for everyone around them. They introduced the concept of rehabilitation to a prison that never had it before.
11.24am AEST
We have photos from the aftermath of the news breaking that Filipina *Mary Jane Veloso*’s life had been spared. Here are her sisters, *Marites Laurente* and *Darling Veloso,* arriving back from “execution island” after Mary Jane was granted a stay on her execution.
11.06am AEST
Here is a very insightful report on what was happening diplomatically behind the scenes between Australia and Indonesia in the lead-up to the executions, and what the fallout looks like for the relationship between the two countries, from my colleagues *Lenore Taylor *and *Gabrielle Chan*. In it, they write:
The unsuccessful political and diplomatic effort to appeal to new Indonesian president Joko Widodo has been intense, increasingly desperate, often ‘creative’, but always couched in careful language of respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty as hope remained that the president might grant clemency.
Now we can say what these deaths were – the torture and murder of human beings by a neighbouring state.
10.48am AEST
Here are photos of the eight men who were executed in Indonesia in the early hours of Wednesday morning, all on drug smuggling charges.
They were:
10.34am AEST
In Brazil there is also great anger at the execution of *Rodrigo Gularte, *a Brazilian man diagnosed with schizophrenia. My colleague *Jonathan Watts* filed this report hours before the eight men were killed:
Indonesia’s decision to execute a Brazilian drug smugger has prompted an angry response in his home country, where the case has made front-page news.
*Rodrigo Gularte*, who has twice been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is set to be the second Brazilian to be shot by firing squad in Indonesia this year.
In a letter sent on Monday to the government in Jakarta, the Brazilian foreign ministry has declared the death sentence “unacceptable” and “contrary to the common sense and basic standards of human rights protection”.
10.26am AEST
Australia’s credibility in arguing for clemency for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran was tarnished by Canberra’s inconsistency about the death penalty, one of the men’s lawyers, *Peter Morrissey* SC, says.
In 2003, when two of the Bali bombers were sentenced to death, both the government and the opposition of the time in Australia supported it.
Our credibility was a little tarnished there … We were rather applauding the death penalty when it came to the Bali bombers. That fact caused a lot of resentment. We need to be very consistent about it [and] that may have affected our credibility within Indonesia on this occasion,” Morrisey said, speaking on ABC radio this morning.
10.21am AEST
We have footage of the Australian prime minister,* Tony Abbott*, and the foreign affairs minister, *Julie Bishop, *speaking after the execution of Australians *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*. Abbott announced the withdrawal of Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia and said the relationship “simply cannot be business as usual”.
My colleague *Daniel Hurst* has filed a full report on the Australian government’s response.
10.16am AEST
Australia’s Human Rights Commission was pleading for clemency for *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran *right up until yesterday. The president of the commission, Gillian Triggs, has now spoken on the executions:
Today is a sad day for #humanrights. May the tragic executions of Andrew & Myuran stimulate an end to the death penalty throughout Asia
My thoughts and prayers go out to Andrew and Myuran’s family and friends #IStandForMercy #EndTheDeathPenalty
10.09am AEST
The lawyer for Filipina *Mary Jane Veloso* has described the moment her family found out she had been granted a stay on her execution, just hours before she was due to be killed, *Dina* *Indrasafitri* reports.
*Edre Olalia*, from the National Union for People’s Lawyers, said that he found out through bits and pieces of information, before then reading about it in a television station’s running text.
It was a very heart-wrenching moment, when [Veloso’s family] left the hotel and they had to leave towards Jakarta and just wait for the body of their mother, their daughter and their sister. Then everything turned around.
It’s not over till it’s over and that has been validated by what happened tonight.
10.05am AEST
The Australian senator *Jacqui Lambie *is continuing her calls for aid to Indonesia to be cut after the executions of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran.*
Now she is demanding $50m be redirected to Nepan from Australia’s foreign aid for Indonesia. Lambie also wants Australians to boycott Indonesia, specifically Bali, as a holiday destination.
What is happening in Indonesia right now is disgusting. Indonesia’s president is playing at the art of war. He is toying with those boys and using them as a political pawn.
9.41am AEST
*Mary Jane Veloso*’s husband, *Michael*, has publicly thanked the Indonesian president, *Joko Widodo,* for granting her a reprieve from execution in the hours before she was due to be killed.
Veloso was granted the reprieve after her native Philippines appealed for her to be a witness in the trial against the woman who allegedly trafficked her.
Talagang may himala po palang dumating sa anak ko.
A miracle really came to my daughter.
We are relieved that the execution of Mary Jane Veloso was not carried out tonight. The Lord has answered our prayers.
9.25am AEST
A vigil organised by the Mercy Campaign was held in Sydney last night. This is a very moving video from it, only a minute long but still quite tough to watch. It shows *Myuran Sukumaran’s *cousin speaking about the reformed men.
9.13am AEST
Locals near where the eight foreigners were executed in Indonesia generally supported the stance of the president, *Joko Widodo*, *Dina Indrasafitri *reports from Cilacap.
Indrasafitri – who has been in Cilacap, which is just across from the island where the executions took place – said there were hundreds of journalists as well as dozens, possibly hundreds of locals, creating an “intense” atmosphere. She said the locals were mostly there out of curiosity, not to protest or make any political statements.
I’ve had conversations with the locals since I came here and most of them are saying, ‘Well, I do feel sorry for them, we’re all human beings, but what can you do? You made a mistake, you violated the law, you have to deal with the punishment.’
There’s a justification going on, [people are saying] ‘The drugs are really bad and I’ve seen victims of drugs, they can end up in really bad situation.’ One of them was saying she agreed with Joko and saw on TV Joko was saying how bad the drug problem was. The sort of sentiment I’ve been getting, most of them are saying, ‘We’ve been seeing this on television and we want to see it for ourselves.’
8.40am AEST
The families of Australians *Myuran Sukumaran* and *Andrew Chan* have released a statement about the executions.
In full:
Today we lost Myuran and Andrew. Our sons, our brothers. In the 10 years since they were arrested they did all the could to make amends, helping many others. They asked for mercy, but there was none.
They were immensely grateful for all the support they received. We too, will be forever grateful.
8.20am AEST
You can read profiles of the eight people executed in Indonesia here. Filipina *Mary Jane Veloso* and Frenchman *Serge Atlaoui* were given temporary reprieves.
8.14am AEST
The bodies of the foreigners executed in Indonesia, including *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran, *have arrived via ambulance on the mainland of Indonesia. It will be another 10 hours or so before they reach Jakarta. The Guardian’s *Dina Indrasafitri* reports there were about five ambulances.
Grim...ambulances with coffins Andrew Chan and Muyuran Sukumaran have arrived at the mainland pic.twitter.com/rHr0M6osJe
7.59am AEST
Australia is yet to be formally notified of the executions but the foreign affairs minister, *Julie Bishop,* says we can assume it has happened. Bishop says the bodies of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran* will be brought to Australia for burial.
I was in contact with the families overnight. They are in a devastating position and I understand that they will put out a statement later this morning. Our concern centres on the fact that the apparent rehabilitation of Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran was not taken into account.
I expect to be able to discuss further aspects of our relationship with Indonesia when our ambassador, *Paul Grigson*, returns to Australia at the end of this week.
Well it is very unusual, indeed unprecedented, for an ambassador to be withdrawn so I don’t want to minimise the gravity of what we’ve done. Ministerial contacts have been suspended for some time once it became apparent that the executions were likely, ministerial contacts were suspended and they will remain suspended for a period. Apart from that, I don’t want to personalise this because it’s important that the relationship between the Australian government and the Indonesian government continue.
The involvement of the Australian federal police was reviewed a number of years ago and changes were made. We are satisfied that the changes that are in place were appropriate but I don’t believe today is the time to look for recriminations. Now is a time to be thinking of the Chan and Sukumaran families to spare a thought for what they are going through today and to provide them with all the support and assistance that we can. It’s an appalling situation for them.
First of all I absolutely understand people’s anger. I absolutely understand people’s anger. Yes, the drug trade is evil and these two committed a serious crime. But particularly given the last 10 years and the very thorough rehabilitation and reform that these two demonstrated, it is, as I said, cruel and unnecessary what has taken place. So I absolutely understand people’s anger. On the other hand, we do not want to make a difficult situation worse and the relationship between Australia and Indonesia is important, remains important, will always be important, will become more important as time goes by. So I would say to people yes, you are absolutely entitled to be angry but we’ve got to be very careful to ensure that we do not allow our anger to make a bad situation worse.
7.40am AEST
The prime minister, *Tony Abbott,* has announced Australia will withdraw the Australian ambassador to Indonesia as result of the executions of *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*.
Speaking in Canberra he said:
Australia respects the Indonesian system. We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty but we do deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual.
I want to stress that this is a very important relationship between Australia and Indonesia but it has suffered as a result of what’s been done over the last few hours. Whatever people think of the death penalty, whatever people think of drug crime, the fact is that these two families have suffered an appalling tragedy and I’m sure that every Australian’s thoughts and prayers will be with those families at this time.
7.30am AEST
*Julie Bishop* foreshadowed “consequences” ahead of the execution of Australians *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran*, my colleague *Daniel Hurst* reports in a piece about the political reaction in Australia you can read here. He reports:
Australia must respond strongly to Indonesia’s execution of two citizens, the Labor opposition said, as MPs from all sides of politics expressed their anger at the “cruel and devastating loss”.
7.22am AEST
Australia’s foreign affairs minister,* Julie Bishop,* will address media at 7.30am to speak about Australia’s response to the executions. Here are summaries from Indonesia, Australia and around the world in the hours since the death, filed by AAP.
I have just lost a courageous brother to a flawed Indonesian legal system. I miss you already RIP my Little Brother.
I am sorry. I failed. I lost.
Chan and *Myuran Sukumaran*’s Indonesian lawyer, *Todung Mulya Lubis*.
We stand in solidarity with the families of all those who were brutally executed in this senseless, tragic and wasteful act of state-sanctioned murder.
It’s awful, I know, but the two boys died well. They made their preparations, they were dignified. They’re strong against the death penalty, they were supportive of their families.
Chan and Sukumaran’s lawyer, *Peter Morrissey:*
Lives lost. Nothing gained.
The opposition frontbencher *Tony Burke:*
Those set to be executed are living proof of capacity to reform and rehabilitate offenders into productive members of society.
7.04am AEST
Journalists are reporting that *Mary Jane Veloso*, who was granted a reprieve from the execution squad, is on her way back to Wirogunan prison.
Her lawyer has tweeted about her last-minute reprieve, to testify in a trial against an alleged drug smuggler and people trafficker.
Never really over till it's over. What a rollercoaster ride that saps emotions &!tests grit.
See you soon Mary Jane! We're bringing back your little boys to you!
7.00am AEST
We are hearing that Australia’s foreign affairs minister, *Julie Bishop*, will address the media about the execution of *Andrew Chan* and * Myuran Sukumaran* in the next couple of hours.
The Greens leader,* Christine Milne, *has issued a statement calling the execution a “tragedy” and saying Chan and Sukumaran will be remembered for overcoming their past to live meaningful lives.
Capital punishment must be abolished wherever in the world it is still carried out. We in Australia must continue to advocate for an end to capital punishment and promote human rights around the world, especially in our region. The lives of these two Australians have been ended by firing squad at the direction of the Indonesian government. I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms.
Indonesia has not just robbed two young men of their lives but robbed itself of two examples of the strengths of its justice system. These executions significantly weaken Indonesia’s ability to plead mercy for its own citizens facing execution around the world. As a close friend and neighbour of Indonesia, Australia is deeply hurt that our pleas for mercy were ignored.
6.46am AEST
Here’s a quick glance at the front pages of newspapers coming out in the hours after the deaths of the eight people executed in Indonesia.
In Brisbane, Australia, the Courier-Mail held its presses to put out a 4am edition after the men had been killed.
Today's editorial - Indonesia’s antics served only to insult and offend: http://t.co/x46XI0eUef #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/qlaMNemceS
Front Page, April 29: Eight drug convicts executed despite concerted clemency calls from foreign leaders pic.twitter.com/4tVeKnOnRK
First edition of today's paper, p1. pic.twitter.com/LqFF1SAa3E
6.40am AEST
The eight prisoners who were executed in Indonesia a few hours ago were initially denied a visit from a spiritual adviser from their religion. This decision was reversed and ABC is reporting the prisoners, including *Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran, *were allowed their last rites.
An ABC correspondent, *Greg Jennett*, who is in Indonesia, reports:
They would have said a farewell after being blessed and given the last rites at one point.
I expect and we have had indications that they won’t say any more. They’re going to leave Cilacap, they’re going to try to be as obscure as they can to make their way home, to go back home for funeral services. The bodies will go quite quickly, so that puts some urgency in the travels of the families as well. Now, there has been a kind of media strategy on the part of the Chan and Sukumaran families to display their final grief or at least be open to the media. However, I think things change substantially this morning and there’s no longer any reason, no purpose to lobbying any further. So I think for that reason they will largely disappear from public view until the funeral services in Australia.
6.39am AEST
Australian political leaders have been tweeting as they wake up to the news* *that* Andrew Chan* and *Myuran Sukumaran* have been executed:
The opposition leader, *Bill Shorten*:
Our worst fears have been realised. Labor condemns the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, in the strongest possible terms.
The death penalty is barbaric and inhumane torture. Murder is murder.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Andrew and Myuran. This is a cruel and devastating loss.
For the record, for me the death penalty is an ethical issue. I cannot accept that it is justified in any country for any offence.
6.29am AEST
Hello, it is almost three hours since Indonesia executed eight foreign prisoners who were all convicted on drug charges. *Mary Jane Veloso, *from the Philippines, was given a last-minute reprieve to ensure she can testify at the trial of an alleged drug smuggler and people trafficker.
Australians* Myuran Sukumaran *and *Andrew Chan* were in the group executed about 12.30am local time on the prison island of Nusa Kambangan, off the coast of Java. Australia is just waking to the news.
Continue reading... Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.