Australia can’t do more for death row prisoners in Indonesia

A woman holds a handwritten placard and a small dog as demonstrators gather at the Indonesian consulate in Sydney, Monday, April 27, 2015 to protest the pending execution of two Australians on death row in Indonesia. AP PHOTO/Rick Rycroft

A woman holds a handwritten placard and a small dog as demonstrators gather at the Indonesian consulate in Sydney, Monday, April 27, 2015 to protest the pending execution of two Australians on death row in Indonesia. AP PHOTO/Rick Rycroft

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s foreign minister has defended Prime Minister Tony Abbott against online criticism that he has not done enough to save the lives of two Australians on death row in Indonesia.

The two Australians are among nine drug traffickers who were given 72-hour notices over the weekend that they will be executed by a firing squad.

Australian celebrity actors including Geoffrey Rush and Guy Pearce have launched an online video calling for Indonesia to show mercy to the two Australians. Some urge Abbott to go to Jakarta.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Nine Network television on Tuesday that she and Abbott would have gone to Indonesia, if that would have helped.

RELATED STORY

Australian trafficker marries before Indonesia execution

RELATED VIDEOS

Read more...