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'Bali Nine' case: Death penalty judges 'asked for bribe' Abbott cites 'legal options' amid Bali Nine corruption claims
(about 1 hour later)
Indonesia's judges who handed down the death penalty to two Australians had offered lighter sentences in exchange for a bribe, defence lawyers are quoted as saying by Australian media. Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbott has said there are still "legal options available" in the case of two Australians on death row in Indonesia.
The claim is reportedly contained in a letter sent by the lawyers to Indonesia's judicial committee. Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were convicted of drug crimes in 2006 and could be executed within days.
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were convicted for drug crimes in 2006. Media reports on Monday said the men's lawyers had written to the Indonesian judiciary alleging judges had asked for bribes for lighter sentences.
The executions of the two leaders of the "Bali Nine" drug smuggling ring could happen within days.
'Grave injustice'
The defence lawyers' letter alleges that the six judges in the trial in Bali had been pressured from "certain parts" to hand down the death penalty, according to Australia's Sydney Morning Herald and Herald Sun newspapers.
The letter claims that the judges therefore had breached ethical standards.
Indonesia's judicial officials have not publicly commented on the claim.Indonesia's judicial officials have not publicly commented on the claim.
The two Australians lost a final legal bid to have their cases reviewed earlier this month.
Chan and Sukumaran, along with seven other Australians, were arrested in Bali in 2005 for trying to smuggle more than 18lb (8.3kg) of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.Chan and Sukumaran, along with seven other Australians, were arrested in Bali in 2005 for trying to smuggle more than 18lb (8.3kg) of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.
The pair were later found to be the ringleaders of the group and sentenced to death. The pair were later found to be the ringleaders of the group and sentenced to death. The two Australians lost a final legal bid to have their cases reviewed earlier this month.
The other seven members of the "Bali Nine" are currently serving either life or 20 years in prison.
Australia's top politicians have been actively campaigning for clemency for the two.Australia's top politicians have been actively campaigning for clemency for the two.
"What we understand is that there are still legal options open to these two Australians and their legal teams," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said, adding that until those options were exhausted Indonesia should not carry out the executions. The other seven members of the "Bali Nine" are currently serving either life or 20 years in prison.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Monday a number of "options are on the table" if Indonesia proceeded with the executions, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. 'Serious allegations'
The Indonesian defence lawyers' letter alleges that the six judges in the trial in Bali had offered light sentences in exchange for money, according to Australia's Sydney Morning Herald and Herald Sun newspapers.
The judges were pressured from "certain parts" to hand down the death penalty, said the reports.
The letter claims that the judges therefore had breached ethical standards.
Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Mr Abbott declined to comment directly on the allegations but said the Australian government was still making representations to Indonesia about the planned executions.
"What we understand is that there are still legal options open to these two Australians and their legal teams," he said, adding that until those options were exhausted Indonesia should not execute the two men.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would also not comment on the letter, but said there were some "very serious allegations and I understand that the lawyers for Mr Sukumaran and Mr Chan will continue to raise these matters".
She urged the Indonesians to follow all appeals processes, but said she had to respect its legal systems.
Ms Bishop said she had also considered making a "mercy dash" to Indonesia to plead for the lives of the two men but said she had been advised that it could be counterproductive, and "that what we must do is to continue to press behind the scenes".
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who supports capital punishment, has already rejected such appeals.Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who supports capital punishment, has already rejected such appeals.
Indonesia has some of the toughest drug laws in the world and ended a four-year moratorium on executions in 2013.Indonesia has some of the toughest drug laws in the world and ended a four-year moratorium on executions in 2013.
Last month, Indonesia executed convicts from Malawi, Nigeria, Vietnam, Brazil and the Netherlands as well as one from Indonesia.Last month, Indonesia executed convicts from Malawi, Nigeria, Vietnam, Brazil and the Netherlands as well as one from Indonesia.
It prompted Brazil and the Netherlands to recall their ambassadors in protest. It prompted Brazil and the Netherlands to recall their ambassadors in protest. Australian authorities have threatened to do the same if Chan and Sukumaran are put to death.
Australian authorities have threatened to do the same if Chan and Sukumaran are put to death.