Overnight, the whole world waited with baited breath to discover whether Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, together with their fellow condemned prisoners, would experience the fate we all hoped they would escape.
‘They asked for mercy but there was none’: Families release statement following #Bali9 deaths. http://t.co/DrwwhvOaXX pic.twitter.com/RTDJ0RIj2Y
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) April 29, 2015
But, as they gathered in a line at around 3am this morning, April 29 2015, TVNZ reports that the condemned went to the deaths singing ‘Amazing Grace.’
Witnesses have told the media that all eight of those killed by firing squad refused to wear blind folds, instead opting to look their executioners in the eyes.
They were shot after reciting the Lord’s Prayer and singing Christian hymns such as Amazing Grace, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
“They were praising their God,” Pastor Karina de Vega said.
“It was breath-taking. This was the first time I witnessed someone so excited to meet their God.”
Ms de Vega says the condemned prisoners were able to comfort each other in their final minutes.
“They bonded together,” she said. “Brotherhood. They sang one song after another. Praising God. They sang a few songs together, like in a choir.”
In the wake of the executions, the families of both Chan and Sukumaran have released a statement to the media, while Chan’s brother has tweeted about his late brother.
Statement from the families of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/XoEGhhISMK (@Dan_Bourchier)
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) April 28, 2015
The brother of Andrew Chan tweeted this message moments after the executions. #Bali9 #9News pic.twitter.com/iIViTw2Idy
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) April 28, 2015
Since entering the Bali prison 10 years ago, it is said that Chan has since become a Christian Priest and Sukumaran has become known as a noted artist inside the prison walls.
This message from Myuran Sukumaran’s mate, artist @BenQuilty. #Bali9 @sunriseon7 #sun7 pic.twitter.com/Yiu9J8xLJl
— Matt Tinney (@Matt_Tinney) April 27, 2015
Sukumaran has created several moving artworks, the latest of which seem to show Sukumaran with a hole where his heart should be.
Death penalty is barbaric. Nobody deserves this. Myuran’s final painting is haunting me. #istandformercy #bali9 pic.twitter.com/BCRhcHr1mR
— Anita Hourigan (@AnitaHourigan) April 26, 2015
Chan also married his fiance, Febyanti Herewila the day before his execution in a small ceremony infront of family and friends.
Last day on Earth: Touching footage of #AndrewChan‘s wedding leaked to local media http://t.co/5MHYBLtJSD #Bali9 pic.twitter.com/4MTxsHwEsN
— 7News Yahoo7 (@Y7News) April 29, 2015
The couple’s wedding — a rare moment of joy on the bleakest of days — was announced by his older brother Michael.
“It is a tough time but it is a happy time at the same time,” Michael said of the moment of rare happiness.
Source: TVNZ
