Australia bids to save Sukumaran, Chan from execution in Indonesia

Australia is pursuing a last-ditch deal with Indonesia to save two of its citizens from imminent execution on drugs charges, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said yesterday, in a case that threatens to strain already fragile relations.

Myuran Sukumaran, 33, and Andrew Chan, 31, are among eight prisoners due to be executed after Indonesian President Joko Widodo rejected their clemency pleas last month. Five foreigners were among six people executed for drug offences last month, the first executions since Widodo took office in October.

During an impassioned speech to parliament yesterday, Bishop outlined a flurry of Australian diplomatic activity aimed at securing a deal and urged Indonesia to show mercy.

"We urge the Indonesian government to show the same mercy to Andrew and Myuran that it seeks for its citizens in the same situation abroad," Bishop said. "We must not give up hope and we will continue with our efforts to save the lives of Australian citizens."

Chan and Sukumaran were members of the so-called Bali Nine, who were found guilty of attempting to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin.

They were arrested at Bali's Denpasar airport in 2005, and their case has enormous resonance as a domestic political issue in Australia.