God willing, the execution will be carried out this week."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The execution of nine inmates on death row convicted on drug trafficking charges will be carried out this week, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said.
"God willing, the execution will be carried out this week," he told journalists here on Tuesday when questioned about the execution of the convicted drug dealers.
The execution may be carried out on Tuesday or Wednesday, he stated without mentioning the exact time the firing squad will execute the convicts.
When asked about Indonesian President Joko Widodos recent meeting with Filipino President Benigno Aquino, he revealed that it was a closed-door meeting.
"I did not join the meeting. Nobody was allowed to enter the room. Only President Joko Widodo and President Aquino were present," Purdijatno remarked.
Filipino citizen Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso is among the nine convicts sentenced to death.
Minister Purdijatno further noted that there might be a request for a presidential pardon for Veloso, but President Joko Widodo was firm regarding his position that the execution was a legal matter and that the convict had undergone the entire legal process.
In another development, the Indonesian Attorney Generals Office confirmed that it will carry out the execution of the nine death row convicts despite the governments of various countries lobbying against the decision.
"Of course, countries whose citizens are facing the death penalty have approached the (Indonesian) government. But it will not affect the nations sovereignty," Attorney General H. M. Prasetyo stressed.
The nine convicts facing execution are Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran from Australia; Raheem Agbaje Salami, Silvester Obiekwe Nwaolise alias Mustofa, and Okwudili Oyatanze from Nigeria; Zainal Abidin from Indonesia; Rodrigo Gularte from Brazil; Martin Anderson alias Belo from Ghana; and Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso from the Philippines.
(Reported by Agus Salim/Uu.R013/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
