Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Widodo denies Abbott's suggestion he's rethinking exections

Indonesian President Joko Widodo says his country remains firm in its stance on the executions of two Australian drug smugglers, despite a call from the PM.

Widodo says Indonesia is 'clear' on executions
File image of Indonesian president Jokowi Widodo.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said his country's stance is "clear" on the pending executions of two Australian drug smugglers, despite the suggestion by Australia's prime minister that he is "carefully considering" his position.

The executions by firing squad of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, the ringleaders of the Bali Nine drug smuggling gang, are believed to be imminent.

Their appeals for presidential clemency, typically the final chance of avoiding death, were recently rejected by Widodo, and a court this week dismissed a bid to challenge that decision.

The looming sentences have dramatically heightened tensions between Australia and Indonesia, fraying ties that were only just recovering from a spying row.

Australia has been working to persuade Indonesia to allow the men to live, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday offered a glimmer of hope after a phone conversation with Widodo, who he said was "carefully considering his position".

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

However Widodo shot that suggestion down in an exclusive interview with local media on Friday.

"Our stance is clear. Our laws cannot be interfered," Widodo was quoted as saying by Kontan news website.

The country's Attorney-General Muhammad Prasetyo earlier said preparations for the executions of 10 drugs convicts which include the two Australians were "about 90 per cent" complete.

The Australians are among a group of foreigners, including a Frenchman and a Brazilian, facing execution.

Brazil and France have also been ramping up pressure on Jakarta, with Paris summoning Indonesia's envoy and the Brazilian president refusing to accept the credentials of the new Indonesian ambassador.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world