Two Australian drug smuggling convicts of the Bali Nine were taken away from their Bali prison cells on Wednesday and brought to the island of Nusakambangan where they will be executed through firing squad.

Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, Bali Nine ringleaders, reportedly left Kerobakan Prison with heavy escorts in two armored cars on Wednesday early dawn. Accordingly, they arrived at Denpansar's Airport to board a plane for the island of Nusakambangan where the firing squad execution will be conducted. 

Like Us on Facebook

The planned execution has raised diplomatic tension between the governments of Australia and Indonesia.

The Australian government requested pleas of mercy for the duo and asked the Indonesian government to forego the firing squad execution.

"I think there are millions of Australians who feel sick to their stomachs about what's likely to happen to these two men who committed a terrible crime, a terrible crime," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said. "But the position of Australia is that we abhor drug crime but we abhor the death penalty as well, which we think is beneath a country like Indonesia."

Despite the repeated pleas of mercy for Sukumaran and Chan, the Indonesian Government still holds strong to the decision of Indonesian courts of execution for the convicts.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo reportedly averred that other countries should not meddle with Indonesia's sovereign affairs.

Widodo is known for his stern stand against drug trafficking. Some nationals from Vietnam, the Netherlands, Malawi and Nigeria have also been upfront for firing squad. Widodo has also denied clemency to eleven drug trafficking convicts who are in death row.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also added that granting pardon to Sukumaran and Chan will be a show of strength for Widodo. She said this will generate confidence for Indonesia from the international community, citing Indonesia's competence to rehabilitate people who are involved with the illegal drug trade.

TagsBali Nine, Indonesia, drug trafficking, Tony Abbott, Joko Widodo, Australia, firing squad