It’s been almost a decade since the highly publicised “Bali Nine” were incarcerated in Indonesian prisons for attempting to smuggle more than 8 kilograms of heroin into Australia.
The controversial case has frequently been in headlines and has once again reached front pages as execution plans are being made for ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who are awaiting their demise on deathrow. Despite four failed appeal attempts, it is said that the pair will face the firing squad once their clemency plans have been rejected, as news.com.au reports.
The shocking news has begun to circulate the world of music publications as Dougy Mandagi, the lead vocalist of Aussie indie rock outfit The Temper Trap made a desperate plea for fans to help standup against the Indonesian government and their execution intentions.
Mandagi took to The Temper Trap’s official Facebook detailing his friendship with Andrew Chan, attesting that Chan has changed and deserves a second chance. He opens, “Hi temper fans, I (Dougy) usually never do this but seeing as that this is a matter of life and death, literally… here it goes” before beginning his plea “He has exhausted all his appeals and is now facing the firing squad. I obviously would not be writing this if i didn’t think Andrew more than deserves another chance.”
“The Andrew that walked in that cell 10 years ago would not recognise the Andrew today. Completely rehabilitated and transformed, Andrew’s life is just beginning and is now in grave danger of being snuffed out at its prime. Yes, he was guilty but he has turned himself around and is changing the world around him” Mandagi writes.
Closing, he begs of readers, “I implore you to please click on the link and take some time to read up on Andrew and his friend Maryan whose fate hangs on the mercy of the Indonesian President. If you believe in redemption and are moved at all by their plight, please sign the petition. It will take less than a minute of your time. Thank you.”
As one can imagine, Mandagi’s post has seen a large amount of both positive and negative commentary, many condemning the frontman stating that laws need to be abided whilst others are much more sympathetic, agreeing that execution is inhumane and not a the correct response to the men’s crime.
If you are in support of Mandagi, you can sign the Mercy Campaign by clicking this link.
