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Drug Smugglers Sentenced To Death in Indonesia

An Indonesian court sentenced two Australians to death by firing squad on Tuesday for running a smuggling ring that transported heroin from Bali to their own country. The families of Andrew Chan, 27, and Myuran Sukumaran, 24, burst into tears when the sentences were announced. The decision came a day after Indonesia sentenced four of their conspirators to life in prison.

They were part of the so-called "Bali Nine", which was disbanded after five of them were arrested at Denpasar International Airport in April. Four of the men had heroin strapped to their bodies. The four other members of the ring were arrested in a Bali hotel after police found 350g of heroin in their room. The nine men are accused of trying to smuggle 8kg of heroin to Sydney.

Australian Prime Minister has criticized Indonesia`s draconian drug laws in the past, but he said the sentences were predictable. "I feel desperately sorry for the parents of these people, I do," Howard said. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that he hopes the verdicts will serve as an example to others.