Indonesia executes eight prisoners for drugs offences

An Indonesian police firing squad boards a boat to the island where the men were executed — A police firing squad was seen boarding the boat to the island where the executions took place

Eight convicted drug smugglers have been executed by firing squad in Indonesia.

The executions took place in Besi prison on the island of Nusakambangan early on Wednesday morning local time.

However, the execution of a ninth convict, a woman from the Philippines, was postponed at the last minute.

Among those killed were Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. Australia has withdrawn its ambassador in response.

The Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, called the pair's executions "cruel and unnecessary".

He said Australia respected Indonesia's sovereignty but added, "this cannot be simply business as usual".

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in court in 2006 — Andrew Chan (left) and Myuran Sukumaran were sentenced to death in 2006

Brintha Sukumaran (2nd L), sister of Australian drug convict and death row prisoner Myuran Sukumaran, reacts as she holds on to her brother Chinthu Sukumaran (L) while Michael Chan (3rd L), brother of death row prisoner Andrew Chan looks on as the two families give statements to journalists in Cilacap following their final visit to Nusakambangan maximum security prison island on April 28, 2015 — Their families paid them emotional final visits before their execution

Those put to death also include Nigerian nationals, a Brazilian and an Indonesian.

Filipina woman Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was also due to be executed, but this was delayed after a request by the Philippine president, a spokesman from the attorney general's office told the BBC.

The request came after someone suspected of framing Veloso to carry heroin into Indonesia surrendered to police in the Philippines, the spokesman went on.

'A miracle'

Indonesia would give Veloso the chance to testify as a witness in the trial in the Philippines, the spokesman said.

Her mother described the last minute reprieve as a "miracle".

"We are so happy, I can't believe it. I can't believe my child will live," Celia Veloso told Philippine radio station DZMM.

A Frenchman also convicted of drug offences, Serge Areski Atlaoui, has also been sentenced to death but has an appeal outstanding.

Amnesty International described the executions as "utterly reprehensible".

A relative displays the back of a recent painting done in prison by Australian drug convict and death row prisoner Myuran Sukumaran at the Nusakambangan port — The condemned signed the back of a painting done by Sukumaran

Supporters of Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso celebrate in Manila, Philippines. 29 Apr 2015 — Supporters of Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso celebrated in the Philippine capital, Manila

"The execution of eight people in Indonesia today shows complete disregard for due process and human rights safeguards," it said in a statement.

Earlier, the eight prisoners were allowed to spend their final moments with their families.

Relatives of Chan and Sukumaran were visibly distressed and Sukumaran's sister collapsed and had to be carried to the prison.

Australia had urged Indonesia to delay the execution of its two nationals until a corruption investigation into their case was complete.

Chan and Sukumaran, along with seven other Australians, were arrested in Bali in 2005 for trying to smuggle more than 18lb (8.2kg) of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.

The pair were later found to be the ringleaders of the group and sentenced to death. The other seven members of the "Bali Nine" are currently serving either life or 20 years in prison.

Indonesia has some of the toughest drug laws in the world and ended a four-year moratorium on executions in 2013.

It says it takes a hard line because of the country's own drugs problem - 33 Indonesians die every day as a result of drugs, according to Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency.