Indonesia’s executions of drug offenders gets international attention.
29 Juli 2016 15:07
Brilio.net/en - The Attorney Generals Office released a statement on Friday saying four of fourteen drug traffickers facing execution were put to death in the early hours.
They were executed by firing squad in their prison on the island of Nusakambangan, off the coast of Cilacap, Central Java.
Those executed were Indonesian drug kingpin Freddy Budiman, Seck Osmane from Senegal, Michael Titus and Humphrey Johnson, both Nigeria. That leaves 10 others convicted of drug crimes from the list of a third round of executions under President Joko Widodo, whos taken a hard line against drug offenders since he took office.
There have been accusations from lawyers and human rights groups saying the legal process for some of the convicts was flawed, which may have led to some of the reprieves.
The executions have turned into a major international media event.
Here are five facts about the executions you may have missed:
1. Guarded by 300 polices
Head of Public Relations Division Police Comr. Martinus Sitompul said around 300 personnel were deployed to secure the executions.
2. The cost
The head of the AGs Legal Information Center (Kapuspenkum) Moh. Rum revealed the cost of execution for each convict was about Rp 200 million for all 14 convicts. That does not include other technical costs.
3. Abina Nwajaen inviting orphans
Abina Nwajaen., one of the convicts facing death asked for orphans to be brought into the prison so he could lead a Koran recitation for them. His request was granted the day before his execution.
4. Rejection to execution of Merry Utami
Members of the Anti-Death Penalty Alliance had rallied in front of the State Palace in support of Merry Utami, a returned Indonesian migrant worker. They have been urging President Jokowi to grant clemency.
5. A prohibition for fishermen to sail around Nusakambangan Island
With the area surrounded by the water and air police unit (Polairud) local fishermen have been prohibited from entering the waters around Nusakambangan island, known as the Alcatraz of Indonesia.
