Indonesia poised for 'judicial' murders
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While reading this letter this morning, spare a thought for nine people that the Indonesian government is going to kill sometime today, probably at midnight.
They include two Australians, a Nigerian and a Filipina. They are convicted drug smugglers and many people may feel that they deserve to be shot by a firing squad.
In January Indonesia executed six drug smugglers despite a widespread international appeal for clemency. When the death penalties were carried out there were diplomatic sanctions and further condemnation.
Yesterday Muhammad Rifan, the Indonesian lawyer for the two Australians, alleged in the Australian news media that the trial judges met with him and offered to hand down long jail sentences instead of the death penalty if they were given one billion rupiah. This was allegedly agreed to, but the judges were purportedly then instructed by the attorney general’s office and other “high authorities” to order the death sentence after all. It is nevertheless further alleged that the judges demanded more money to spare the Australians’ lives, but there was not enough money left. There are also serious concerns about the propriety of the Filipina’s conviction.
As I understand it, Indonesia has convened an inquiry into the judicial process, but this does not seem to be a consideration for postponing the executions.
Whether you are an opponent or a supporter of capital punishment, this case reeks of corruption and injustice.
David Brown
Rayong
