Indonesia sentences Australians to death

DENPASAR, Indonesia, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- An Indonesian court Tuesday sentenced two young Australians to death by firing squad for their roles in an aborted drug-smuggling operation last April.

The Denpasar District Court sentenced Andrew Chan, 22, and Myuran Sukumaran, 24, to death after finding them guilty of leading seven fellow Australians, known as the Bali Nine, in an attempt to smuggle 8 kilograms of heroin from the resort island of Bali to Australia.

Also Tuesday, the court handed life sentences to accomplices Michael Czugaj, 20, and Martin Stephens, 29. A day earlier the court had sentenced Renae Lawrence, 28, and Scott Rush, 20, to life in prison.

Three remaining defendants are also expected to receive life terms when the trial concludes Wednesday.

The nine have a week to decide whether to seek clemency from Indonesia's president or launch appeals against the sentences, The Australian reported. If they ask for clemency, they must admit guilt and forgo any future appeals.

The case has attracted a great deal of attention in Australia, which opposes the death penalty. Stiff sentences handed down in previous drug-related cases have caused a public outcry.