Eight foreigners and a Indonesian facing execution on a prison island are believed to be spending their last hours Tuesday before they are led into a clearing, tied to posts, and shot by firing squad.
Despite international outrage and desperate appeals for mercy from relatives, Jakarta looks set to execute the group, who include nationals from Australia, Brazil, Nigeria and the Philippines, as early as Tuesday night.
Under Indonesian regulations the eight men and one woman will be given the option of sitting, kneeling or standing as they meet their fate. The position of their hearts will be marked on their clothes in black ink to provide a target for the 12-man firing squad.
If the convict survives the initial volley of gunfire, then an officer delivers a shot to the head with a handgun.
READ: Profiles of foreigners due to be executed in Indonesia
Here are key questions and answers about the process:
Q: Where do the executions take place?
A: Indonesia executes death row inmates at Nusakambangan, a rugged island off Central Java that has served as a high-security jail since Dutch colonial rule.
Among the more notorious inmates to spend their final days there were Imam Samudra, Mukhlas and Amrozi, three men behind the 2002 bombings on the resort island of Bali that killed 202 people. They were put to death there in 2008.
Those sentenced to death are eventually transferred to Nusakambangan.
Q: How much notification do prisoners receive before being shot?
A: Authorities must provide a minimum 72 hours' notice. Once this is given, the prisoners are moved to isolation cells to wait. If they are foreigners their governments are informed of the impending execution.
Q: What happens next?
A: One hour before the scheduled execution time, a team of 12 specially trained policemen assembles at the site.
They take position five to ten metres (16 to 32 feet) from where the condemned inmates will be positioned and lay out their rifles.
A commander loads each rifle with one round but only three of the rounds are live. The rest are blanks, meaning it cannot be determined who fired the fatal shot.
Prisoners sentenced to death for the same crime -- like the two Australian ringleaders of the so-called "Bali Nine" heroin-smuggling gang -- must by law be executed at the same time but by a different firing squad.
It is not known how many firing squads will be used and into what number of groups the convicted will be divided.
Q: How are the prisoners executed?
A: The condemned inmates are marched to a clearing, where their hands and feet are bound and they are placed in front of individual posts. They are given the option of sitting, kneeling or standing and can wear a blindfold if desired.
The prisoners then have a final three minutes with a religious counsellor, before a commander draws a black mark on the inmate's clothing over the heart.
The squad commander then raises a sword. The marksmen take aim and fire when he swishes the blade down.
If a doctor determines the prisoner has survived, an officer delivers a single shot to the head by handgun.
Q: Do Indonesians support the death penalty for drug use?
In a nationwide survey published last month by pollster Indo Barometer, 84 percent of respondents supported the death penalty for drug traffickers, while just 12 percent disagreed.
The broad public support partly explains why President Joko Widodo -- who believes Indonesia faces a drugs emergency -- has been so unwavering in his determination to put drug dealers to death.
Many in Indonesia view drug dealers as akin to terrorists, mass murderers or rapists.
The country has some of the world's toughest anti-drugs laws and sentences for possession of even minor quantities of narcotics can be harsh.
READ: Australian trafficker marries before Indonesia execution
AFP
Tue Apr 28 2015
Bali nine drug smugglers who will be put to death by firing squad - filepic
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.