Oct. 9, 2007

Indonesia

Indonesia reconsidering capital punishment

Herald Sun

INDONESIAN Attorney-General Hendarman Supandji has shied away from
supporting capital punishment and suggested delays in the execution of
convicted Bali bombers.

The comments bring hope to six of the Australian "Bali nine" drug couriers
on death row in Bali, some of whom have been challenging their sentences.

During a Fairfax interview Mr Supandji said a constitutional court ruling on
the issue was expected soon and if it decided against capital punishment,
the Government would implement the decision.

However, during the same interview Mr Supandji said negotiations on prisoner
exchange programs had stalled, meaning Australians such as Schapelle Corby
were no closer to returning home to serve their sentences.

"There is still controversy among the community about capital punishment,"
Mr Supandji told Fairfax.

"I leave it up to the people. If the Indonesian nation rejects it, as
attorney-general I have to follow it."

The attorney-general's comments follow federal Australian Labor Party
foreign affairs spokesman Robert McClelland's speech outlining his party's
opposition of capital punishment.

Labor leader Kevin Rudd has since said he would never seek to have the death
sentence of a terrorist overturned and has reprimanding Mr McClelland which
came close to the anniversary of the Bali bombings which killed 202 people.

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Source : Herald Sun

Indonesia reconsidering capital punishment | Herald Sun