AUSTRALIAN DRUG SMUGGLERS' LATEST APPEAL AGAINST DEATH SENTENCE FAILS

The latest appeal by two Australian drug smugglers, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan who were leaders of Bali Nine group of heroine smugglers arrested in 2005 against the death sentence handed down to them in Indonesia has failed.

An Indonesian court ruled that they cannot challenge the President's decision to refuse them clemency.

An earlier ruling had barred them from challenging Indonesian President Joko Widodo's rejection of their clemency pleas which they then appealed against.

Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan are expected to be executed soon despite campaigns from Australia that their sentences be commuted to prison sentences since the drug smugglers are said to be reformed after ten years in prison.

Lawyer for both men told journalists, "we will continue on our legal efforts"


photo: BBC Asia