Abbott recalls ambassador to Indonesia after execution of Australians
Australia will recall its ambassador in Jakarta for consultations, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday, after two Australian nationals were executed in Indonesia, according to Sputnik.
Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 34, members of the so-called Bali Nine group, were arrested 10 years ago for attempting to smuggle 18 pounds of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.
Chan and Sukumaran were executed by firing squad along with one Indonesian and six other foreigners on Tuesday.
“Australia respects the Indonesian system. We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty. But we do deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual. For that reason, once all the courtesies have been extended to the Chan and Sukumaran families our ambassador will be withdrawn for consultations,” Abbott told reporters.
A Filipino mother of two, 30-year-old Mary Jane Veloso, also convicted on drug charges, was spared last minute.