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Lankan origin Australian executed in Indonesia

29 April 2015 04:49 am - 30     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Bali Nine ringleader Myuran Sukumaran executedMyuran Sukumaran, the British-born Australian national, originally from Sri-Lanka, one of the ringleaders of the infamous Bali Nine, was executed by firing squad on Nusakambangan Island in Java, Indonesia, on yesterday.

He was executed at approximately 6.25pm (UK time) with seven others of the drug ring. Mary Jane Veloso from the Philippines was spared at the last minute.

The Bali Nine were a group of nine Australians, who made headlines in 2005 for planning to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin valued at US$3.1 million (£2 million) from Indonesia to Australia.

Sukumaran and three others were arrested at the Melasti Hotel in Kuta, where police found 334g of heroin hidden in a suitcase in his room.

According the testimonies given in court by convicted drug mules, Sukumaran and his fellow school friend, Andrew Chan, were the leaders of the drug smuggling operation.

He had been on the death row since February 2006, after Depasar District Court sentenced him to execution by firing squad for his role in a drug-smuggling plot.

Sukumaran’s close family met him for the last time before his execution.

His brother, Chintu, said: “We spent the last few hours with my brother. We didn’t have much time. There were so many things to talk about.”

He added: “We did talk about the death penalty and he knows this is just a waste. It’s not going to solve anything with drugs.

“Tomorrow, next week, next month, it’s still not going to stop anything with drugs. If these nine people die today, it’s still not going to stop anything.”

His mother, Raji, bid a tearful goodbye to her son: “I just had to say goodbye to my son and I won’t see him again.”
Raji Sukumaran
She was joined by Sukumaran’s sister, Brintha, in their plea to the Indonesian President Joko Widodo to call off the executions.

Brintha said: “Please do not do this to my brother. Please don’t take my brother from me.”

Just hours before the execution, the Australian and French governments also voiced their support for the family’s appeal to President Widodo.

Their joint statement with the European Union read: “We fully respect the sovereignty of Indonesia. But we are against the death penalty in our country and abroad.

In his hometown of Sydney, a crowd of 300 gathered for a candlelit vigil. Blues Point Reserve in North Sydney became the site of a monument of 15,000 flowers, donated by Amnesty International supporters and spelt out ‘Keep Hope Alive’.

Diana Sayed, a human rights lawyer and crisis campaigner for Amnesty, said: “I’m sure they’re going to be seeing this, their families are going to see this and it’ll help whatever they are going through right now.”

Bali Nine Ringleader Myuran Sukumaran executedPrior to his incarceration, Sukumaran was known as a ruthless enforcer of the heroin-trafficking gang, with expertise in martial arts.

But since serving his sentence in Bali’s Kerobokan Prison, he had undergone major transformation.

Sukumaran taught classes to fellow prisoners in a variety of subjects, including English, graphic design, philosophy and computing.

Sukumaran also campaigned to open a computing and art room in the prison, though he was not successful in setting up an accountancy and law course.

His good behaviour led to his appointment as the head of a group of 20 prisoners. He managed and mentored his group, in addition to overseeing modest penalties for those who did not complete their duties.

Bali Nine Ringleader Myuran Sukumaran executedSukumaran gained widespread notoriety for setting up a clothing brand called Kingpin Clothing and creating paintings in prison, many of which he sold.

Curtin University of Perth awarded him with an Associate Degree in Fine Arts in February 2015.

After being transferred to Nusakambangan Island to await his execution, he painted many self-portraits, described as more dark and disturbing in nature.

Sukumaran’s cousin, Niranjela Karunatilake, who is based in London, organised an exhibition of his paintings at Amnesty International’s headquarters in Shoreditch.

Karunatilake said: “The death penalty is never the answer and I don’t believe it deters crime, but in Myu’s case, when he has done so much to repent and improve prison conditions, it would be a real tragedy if his life was cut short.”

The death of Sukumaran and seven other prisoners will undoubtedly reignite discussions about the fairness of the death penalty.

Even in Western societies such as the UK and Australia, there is support among the general public for it to be reinstated.

However, if rehabilitation is supposed to be the purpose of prison, is the death sentence the best course of action?(desiblitz)

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  Comments - 30

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  • Sangaralingham Wednesday, 29 April 2015 07:20 PM

    Society at la loss what to do with harmful drugs addiction exploitation of the society by certain segment go inspite of all these jail fines death sentences. Where one stand varies society to society government to government.united worldwide conference on theses matters must be organized to solve problems like death penalty

    pandora Friday, 01 May 2015 08:10 PM

    Read some news before commenting. Indonesia like the Saudis mercilessly kills only foreigners. Boycott anything Indonesia or Saudi Arabia.My deepest sympathies to the families of those brave men. Under the crimes UN has not recognized drug trafficking as on that should be punishable by death.

    hem Friday, 01 May 2015 02:18 PM

    No incorrect - only if they take drugs.who is the idiot to take drugs.any wise person will not.

    hem Friday, 01 May 2015 02:15 PM

    No not really.idiots only drink or take drugs and ruin them selves. no one forcible force anyone to take drinks nor drugs. there are plenty of liquor shops from kilometer to kilometer does all the people drink or get drunk and get killed NO.so drugs too are also like that. because it is prohibited only drugs are so expensive and all this blah blah blah.if it is available on the roads do youll think every one will take drugs and get sick. NO.the countries that have no liquor are the places liquor is expensive and there people go to hotels and get drunk in the happy hours.in some countries now marijuana is legal for medical reasons so where these idiots stand no where. UN or major countries must use there heads in a much realistic way to deal with drug trafficking. if it is not given any importance no one will ever even traffic drugs. does people traffic liquor No because it is not given importance.if people lives according to the good ways they have been brought up and according to the religion they believe no one will ever touch drugs nor liquor nor ICE nor smoke ganja or get intoxicated.we are in the 21st century and we have to shed away 10th century stupidity.it is better to realize the truth than going behind text books.

    Nilendra Perera Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:31 AM

    The answer for these are in the Scriptures!

    Nilendra Perera Thursday, 30 April 2015 09:28 AM

    The answer for these are in the Scriptures!As pope say "Who am I to Judge"

    bodhi_dhana Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:29 AM

    It was the LTTE that taught these youngsters to sell drugs and raise miney for their mourderous Eelam project

    spraga Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:05 AM

    This same penalty must implement in SL... then we can see how many politicians will be executed.. Indonesia did the right thing..

    Subha Thursday, 30 April 2015 12:52 AM

    Thankfully Indonesia is a strong state, n smart enough to ignore the EU n Amnesty Int,, if in Sri Lanka, they wud have spared this drug thug by falling to the pressure.. Strange how Tamils obtain sympathy from whites even after horrible crimes like murder n terrorism..

    acnnishanth Wednesday, 29 April 2015 10:55 PM

    Hai Daily Mirror.

    Chinthaka Wednesday, 29 April 2015 09:09 PM

    It is a sad day. My deepest condolense to Mayuran,s family. In this world people commit crimes. Only few get caught. Those who got caught pay the penalty. I respect the law. But taking away the life of a new person will not stop the crime. Looking at Mayuran he seems to be a nice person. I feel sorry for him.

    kondaya77 Wednesday, 29 April 2015 09:09 PM

    Correct, drugs brings misery to countless people young and old.More drugs and drug dealers taken from the streets the better.May God have mercy on their souls.

    dd Wednesday, 29 April 2015 08:50 PM

    RIP. Sad ton hear the story.

    raj Wednesday, 29 April 2015 08:29 PM

    Regardless of whether death penalty is right or wrong, one must remember trafficking drugs are bad for everyone including the one who traffic and who uses. Watch out your children whom they hang out. If Myuran did not meet people whom deal with drugs, he would not have committed this crimes. He was just 24 years old and immature so made a wrong decision.

    Nimal Wednesday, 29 April 2015 07:40 PM

    why kill dead people. drug additcs and agents are dead people anyway.

    drug Wednesday, 29 April 2015 12:15 PM

    I donot know the reality but where the human right where the use

    sjaya Wednesday, 29 April 2015 07:13 PM

    people make mistakes, that not mine you should kill then always their is a second chance. who ever made then to do this, he is leaving a luxury life somewhere. Poor greedy guys paid the price.

    Ravi Wednesday, 29 April 2015 07:03 PM

    you should go and live in Saudi Arabia.I hate drug dealers but life sentence is better solution.

    Rohan Wednesday, 29 April 2015 06:13 PM

    I read and watch this story unfolded in Australian TV for the last ten years. I was very sad and upset this morning hearing that these humans have been shot dead at midnight in Indonesia. At the same time i thought how many innocent people have been beheaded in Saudi Arabia for crimes they have not committed. Similarly a well known drug dealers in MR Govt enjoyed ministerial privileges in SL . What a travesty of justice prevails in this world?

    sobers Wednesday, 29 April 2015 05:23 PM

    Death is a must for drug peddlers. Thousands of families suffer due to drug abuse. If you are a victim, then you would feel it.

    Alisten Wednesday, 29 April 2015 05:16 PM

    This sad and a lost also lesson to Srilanakan parents live in overseas. they should control the kids from day one.If you look at srilanka,all these politicians are doing like a business with the government support.It is funny that people can consume but no one to selll

    Malini Wednesday, 29 April 2015 05:05 PM

    It is not very smart for criminals who deal with drugs to go into nations where they have harsh penalties, and operate there. Surely their was either some stupid thinking or arrogance, to think they might get away. When you go to any nation, you abide by their rules or pay the price.This is sad for their families.

    aleem Wednesday, 29 April 2015 02:35 PM

    If we want to eradicate drugs from our mother land, we must introduce capital punishment, no other way.

    bandula Wednesday, 29 April 2015 02:24 PM

    That country law is double standard. last year one white Australian Beauty queen who was sentenced to death penalty in Bali got released now. She had a chance to go to Night clubs in Bali while she was in the Jail. Her whole family had drug charges in Australia. She earned millions of dollars selling her story to Media.

    S.P.RAMKUMAR Wednesday, 29 April 2015 02:14 PM

    All have to respect the law of each country. Parents must advice their children about real life.

    Fassey Wednesday, 29 April 2015 02:09 PM

    Lives of thousands spoilt due to drug menace. You sow what you reap.

    Guna Wednesday, 29 April 2015 02:08 PM

    I have no sympathy for these people at all but these people can be used ( if they say they reformed) to serve those under drug rehabilitation for rest of their life.

    Gomas Wednesday, 29 April 2015 12:33 PM

    A lesson for others who still doing this ugly business which kills many in the world.

    Siribiris Wednesday, 29 April 2015 12:26 PM

    Saudi Arabia is the country that publicly beheaded an most innocent and poor girl from SriLanka in a barbaric manner.

    ramola Wednesday, 29 April 2015 12:21 PM

    Any human who faces the death penaly deserves prayer and sympathy. But one must not forget the fact that drug pushers ruin the lives of thousands of humans for their own selfish reasons of getting rich.


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