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A Catholic priest who was present at Nusakambangan prison in
Indonesia during last Thursday’s executions of three Nigerian drug
convicts and one local drug lord, has described the
experience as ‘traumatic’
Indonesia during last Thursday’s executions of three Nigerian drug
convicts and one local drug lord, has described the
experience as ‘traumatic’
Father Charles
Burrows, who is based in Cilacap near the prison, was called there to
speak with two of of the three Nigerians, who were among 4 death row prisoners executed by firing squad.
Burrows, who is based in Cilacap near the prison, was called there to
speak with two of of the three Nigerians, who were among 4 death row prisoners executed by firing squad.
Father
Burrows said he doesn’t know if the executed prisoners suffered. He said
he had been present in the past when it has taken several minutes for
prisoners to die.
Burrows said he doesn’t know if the executed prisoners suffered. He said
he had been present in the past when it has taken several minutes for
prisoners to die.
“The
first time, it was seven to eight minutes, and then there were some of
the other times it was 15 minutes and they still weren’t, hadn’t
expired,” he said. “And the captain has to wait with a pistol and shoot
into the brain.” he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation
first time, it was seven to eight minutes, and then there were some of
the other times it was 15 minutes and they still weren’t, hadn’t
expired,” he said. “And the captain has to wait with a pistol and shoot
into the brain.” he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Father
Burrows said he went with the other ministers from different
spiritualities to the “shooting place”, because there was no time to
speak with them in their cells, with great confusion in the lead-up to
the execution. He said it was a “traumatic experience”. The ministers
prayed together while four ministers spoke to the four men who were
executed.
“They
were given some minutes to talk to the prisoners or console them
somewhat. Then they came back and the prisoners were tied to the
stakes. And then they went, were given another few minutes. They were shot pretty quickly after that.”
were given some minutes to talk to the prisoners or console them
somewhat. Then they came back and the prisoners were tied to the
stakes. And then they went, were given another few minutes. They were shot pretty quickly after that.”
Father Burrows said the executed prisoners were “seemingly” blindfolded first, and remained dignified until the end.
“There
was a lot of anger in the first state (last year’s execution) not last
night,” Father Burrows said of the latest executions. But eventually …
they realise they’re going to die, so you best try and die with
dignity.”
was a lot of anger in the first state (last year’s execution) not last
night,” Father Burrows said of the latest executions. But eventually …
they realise they’re going to die, so you best try and die with
dignity.”
Meanwhile, the
Indonesian Attorney General has refused to explain why 10 prisoners,
including one Indonesian woman, received an 11th hour reprieve from the
firing squad.
Indonesian Attorney General has refused to explain why 10 prisoners,
including one Indonesian woman, received an 11th hour reprieve from the
firing squad.
Authorities are set to return the bodies of the executed Nigerian death row convicts to the country, Tempo Jakarta reports.
