Indonesian pastor marries Australian drug convict, Chan, one day before execution

Andrew Chan, one of two Australians facing imminent execution in Indonesia, married his girlfriend at a ceremony at the Nusakambangan Prison Island on Monday – just a day before he faces the firing squad.

The 31-year-old married Indonesian pastor Febyanti Herewila, whom he met several years ago when she began counselling inmates at a prison on the resort Island of Bali, where he was held before being transferred to Nusakambangan.

His brother, Michael Chan, said a priest was present at the ceremony, and that the groom had been celebrating on Monday night with his new wife.

“They have had a celebration inside the prison this afternoon, with close family and friends,” Michael said.

“It was an enjoyable moment. We would just like to celebrate that with him tomorrow as well.

“It’s tough times, but happy times at the same time. So hopefully the president will still show some compassion, some mercy so these two young people can carry on with their lives.”

Chan is among nine drug convicts expected to be executed as early as Tuesday, in spite of diplomatic disputes and international protests.

The convicts, who are all foreigners save one, received notifications of their impending execution on Saturday, in line with the practice of notifying convicts and their families 27 hours before executions.

English businessman and founder of Virgin Group, Richard Branson, was one of the notable world figures who wrote Joko Widodo, president of Indonesia, begging for clemency for Chan and eight other convicts awaiting clearance for drug-related offences.

The letter was also signed by former presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil and Ruth Dreifuss of Switzerland, who are members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.

“Several years of studies show that treating drugs as a health issue rather than a criminal issue would dramatically improve Indonesia’s drugs problems, as has happened in countries like Portugal,” Branson said.

“As I wrote recently, the death penalty is a barbaric and inhumane form of punishment that has long been proven to achieve absolutely nothing to deter or prevent crime. It is important that everyone continues to speak out for all those facing execution.”

Indonesia maintains strict adherence to its anti-drug laws and President Widodo continues to insist the laws are not about to be relaxed.

On January 18, two Nigerians, Solomon Chibuike Okafo, (Alias Namaona Denils) and Daniels Enemuo (Alias Diarrassoube Mamadou), were executed by firing squad for drug offences.

On Friday, a foreign embassy official in Jakarta, who did not want to be named, confirmed that arrangements were set for the execution of several foreign drug convicts, including four Nigerians.