Indonesian prosecutors have called for alleged heroin smuggler Andrew Chan to be executed by firing squad for his role in the Bali Nine smuggling ring.
Source:
SBS
26 Jan 2006 - 12:00 AM  UPDATED 22 Aug 2013 - 12:18 PM

Chan, 22, in considered the ringleader of the operation to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin to Australia from Bali.

He was the last of the Australians to find out how prosecutors think he should be punished if found guilty of drug running.

The announcement means that two of the nine now potentially face the death penalty, six life imprisonment and one a 20-year jail term.

Chan, of Sydney, smiled as a translator explained what the prosecutors had said.

Prosecutor Olopan Nainggolan said Chan deserved to face "hukuman mati".

When asked by a court-appointed translator if he understood what that meant, a smirking Chan replied: "Yes, the death sentence."

Mr Olopan said there are no reasons for the court to afford leniency towards Chan as "he never admitted his crime".

Chan did not cooperate with Indonesian investigators and angered prosecutors as well as the three judges at his trial by refusing to answer questions in court.

The alleged kingpin was arrested at Bali airport on April 17 last year, at the same time as others in the group.

No drugs were found on him when he was hauled off a plane before it took off for Australia, however Indonesian authorities said he masterminded the operation.

Some of the other members of the group, including the sole woman Renae Lawrence, have accused Chan of threatening to kill them and their families to force them to take part in the operation.

Lawrence, 28, of Newcastle, found out on Wednesday that prosecutors wanted her to be imprisoned for 20 years, the lightest sentence for any member of the group.

Earlier this week prosecutors called for Chan's alleged partner, Myuran Sukumaran, 24 of Sydney, to also be executed.

The sentencing demands by the prosecutors are not binding on the judges, who are expected to hand down their verdicts next month.

Thursday's hearing took place as a heavy monsoonal downpour came down outside.

After the hearing Chan was led away to a prison van which took him away to Bali's Kerobokan jail.