(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
The executions of Bali Nine pair Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan could be delayed by more than a week.
The announcement by Indonesia raises the possibility there may be time for another legal appeal lodged by the men to be considered.
Lawyers representing those on death row believe the delay may be partly due to unresolved legal processes involving five of the 11 people listed for the next round of executions.
Those involved include Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.
Amanda Cavill reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Indonesia's Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly has been cited as as saying there would be a short delay in the executions.
But other reports say Attorney-General Muhammad Prasetyo has suggested it could be as long 10 days.
The planned executions have ramped up diplomatic tension between Australia and Indonesia after repeated pleas for mercy on their behalf.
Indonesia's president Joko Widodo has rejected Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's idea of a prisoner swap for the two Bali Nine ringleaders.
Indonesia's Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir says there is no legal basis for Indonesia to act on the proposal that has been made by Ms Bishop.
"Basically Indonesia do not have any legislation or laws any other legal instruments that would enable the issue of prisoner exchange to be conducted. So there's no legal framework for Indonesia to be able to take, to undertake legal prisoner exchange."
And Mr Nasir has again urged Australia not to intervene in its sovereign rights.
"We understand the need for Australia to assist their citizens. But again we emphasise there's such effort should be done in a diplomatic manner, in a way that is respectful to the laws of the country, in this case to the law of Indonesia. And also respect the sovereignty of the laws in Indonesia."
Further inflaming the tensions is dismay over the level of security used to transport the pair Bali to the so-called execution island, surrounded by dozens of armed guards.
Also, a series of photos taken on board the plane transferring Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran to their place of execution is causing serious concern.
One picture show a smiling Denpasar police chief apparently posing for a selfie with his hand on the back of a seated Andrew Chan, who was ashen-faced.
Another showed the commissioner placing his hand on the shoulder of Myuran Sukumaran, who was looking up at him.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the photos are totally inappropriate and an official complaint has been lodged with the Indonesian Ambassador In Australian and with the Indonesian Government in Jakarta.
"I thought they were unbecoming and I thought that they showed a lack of respect and a lack of dignity and obviously we have already protested to the Indonesian Ambassador here in Canberra."
But the Ambassador is in Perth not in Canberra.
Julie Bishop says she will personally speak to Nadjib Kesoema to personally protest against the degrading treatment of the pair both by using the photos and the method of their transfer from Bali.
"I cannot comprehend the manner or the methos of their transfer. They are two young men. They are very gentle people. I am told by our Consul General they are considered model prisoners. So I just cannot comprehend how it is they could be transferred with so much military equipment and so much security."
Although Indonesia appears bent on executing the two men, Tony Abbott says he won't give up in trying to have the death sentence commuted.
He says Australia is continuing to make its position clear.
"While we respect Indonesia's system of justice and we want nothing but the best for Indonesia and we look forward to a strong and growing friendship in the months and years ahead, while this is all true, we deplore the death penalty, we deplore drug crime. But we deplore the death penalty - particularly for people who have been so thoroughly rehabilitated."
However, the Indonesian Ambassador has called on Australia to give his country space to internally debate capital punishment.
Nadjib Kesoema says a robust discussion is taking place in Indonesia about the death penalty.
"It is not an easy game to play. We are not trigger happy. We do it for a very big reason. And as you remember about the more than 1,500 people, young people, who die every month due to drug addiction."
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