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Chan's heartbroken mum flies out

Andrew Chan's mother has boarded a flight to Indonesia to farewell her son, who will soon be executed after being transferred to Nusakambangan.

Helen Chan enroute to Sydney International Airport
The distraught mother of Andrew Chan is flying to Indonesia to say her final goodbye to her son. (AAP)

The heartbroken mother of Andrew Chan has boarded a flight to Indonesia to see her son for the final time as he awaits execution.

Chan has been transferred to Indonesia's execution island of Nusakambangan.

Mrs Chan tearfully left her Sydney home on Wednesday morning, after farewelling husband Ken, who is too ill to fly.

On an early morning visit to nearby shops, Mrs Chan shook her head, mumbled and sighed.

She arrived at Sydney Airport about 2.30pm, supported by Salvation Army minister and family friend David Soper.

The minister, whose three sons grew up with Chan, is expected to visit him before he faces a firing squad on Nusakambangan.

A family friend says Mrs Chan packed her bag with a broken heart.

"It's a hard road at the moment," the family friend told AAP.

"Their hearts are breaking.

"All we can do is pray for them."

Chan's father, who uses a walking stick, said goodbye to his son in February when the family spent a few weeks in Bali and visited Kerobokan prison.

They were forced to return to Australia on February 16 due to his health problems.

Neighbour Eva Mouawad said Mr Chan couldn't understand why his son had to die.

"He came and had a drink with (Mrs Chan) and said 'they're going to kill him'," Ms Mouawad told AAP.

"They don't understand. They wish they can bring him back to a prison here.

"Mrs Chan had tears. She broke my heart."

Meanwhile, a worshipper at Toongabbie's C3 church in Sydney's west, where the Sukumaran family have been known to attend, said a private prayer service was held on Wednesday morning.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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