Indonesia Executes 8 for Drug Offenses Despite Int. Pleas for Clemency

Indonesia has executed eight persons convicted of drug trafficking, defying pressure from international governments for clemency.

"We've carried out the executions," an official from the Attorney General's Office told media on condition of anonymity, according to The Jakarta Post.

The prisoners were executed by firing squad after midnight Wednesday morning on Nusakambangan prison island near Cilacap in Central Java.

The eight executed Indonesian national Zainal Abidin, Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, Brazilian national Rodrigo Gularte, Ghanaian national Martin Anderson, and three Nigerians: Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Raheem Agbaje Salami and Okwudili Oyatanze. Philippine national Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was spared after a person alleged to have recruited her as a drug courier gave themselves up to Philippines police Tuesday.

The Attorney General's Office stated that the executions were carried out after hearing the convicts' final appeals and prayers. The Office has confirmed that the two Australians will be flown to Australia for burial, as per their requests, Jakarta Post notes.

European, Australian and other world leaders had stepped out in condemnation of Indonesia's stance on the death penalty. Indonesian president Joko Widodo stated earlier this week that the death penalty is part of the country's constitution, and that "other countries should respect the Indonesian law."

Indonesia resumed executions in 2013 following a four-year moratorium. None were carried out in 2014, however six people, including five foreigners, were executed in January of this year.