Australian pair executed in Indonesia despite clemency pleas
- On April 28, 2015, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were executed for attempting to smuggle heroin.
- Families and media witnessed emotional farewells at Cilacap port before the executions.
- The execution sparked national outrage in Australia and highlighted the tensions between the two countries.
In Indonesia, on April 28, 2015, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, two Australian nationals convicted of drug trafficking, were executed by firing squad on Nusa Kambangan island. Their families arrived to say final goodbyes, enduring a heartbreaking farewell as they pleaded for mercy. Australia’s government, including then Prime Minister Tony Abbott, launched a campaign for clemency, emphasizing the nation's financial aid to Indonesia following past natural disasters. However, their appeals were ignored. Following the executions, media observed a somber scene as ambulances transported the executed men's bodies back to the mainland, signaling a grim and controversial deterrent message from the Indonesian government against drug offenses. The aftermath of this event stirred profound emotions within Australia and raised critical discussions regarding capital punishment.