Indonesia executions live: 'Hysterical' families heard prisoners being shot dead by firing squad

The executions have ignited global outrage over the death penalty

Lizzie Dearden
Wednesday 29 April 2015 15:17 BST
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Vigils were held through the night for the prisoners as the executions were carried out
Vigils were held through the night for the prisoners as the executions were carried out

Harrowing details are emerging of the final moments of eight people shot dead in Indonesia last night in executions that have sparked global outrage.

Here are the latest updates:

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Among those killed were Australians Myuran Sukumaran, 34, and Andrew Chan, 31, after almost 10 years in prison in Indonesia for drug smuggling.

They died alongside six other prisoners from Nigeria, Brazil and Indonesia, while a woman from the Philippines due to be killed was granted a last-minute reprieve.

Their families lit candles as they watched the procession of cars taking them to the execution site, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, adding many became hysterical when gunshots rang out a short time later.

“The good thing is all prisoners were executed together while praying and singing. Before that they hugged each other, saying goodbye,” Christina Widiantarti, a lawyer for the Brazilian convict said after witnessing the execution.

They reportedly sang hymns and "Amazing Grace" in the moments before they were killed and refused to wear blindfolds as they faced the firing squad shortly after 12.30am local time.

Sukumaran and Chan were convicted in 2006 as part of the “Bali Nine” drug smuggling gang who were arrested on the island for trying to smuggle 8kg of heroin to Australia. Their six Australian co-conspirators were jailed for between 18 years and life in Indonesia.

Additional reporting by agencies

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