Indonesia executes four Nigerians drug convicts, defying global anger

Indonesia executed seven foreign drug convicts including two Australians by firing squad Wednesday, causing Canberra to withdraw its ambassador over the “cruel” punishment.

Authorities put the seven plus a local man to death after midnight (1700 GMT Tuesday) on the high-security prison island of Nusakambangan in central Indonesia, but a Filipina was spared at the 11th hour.

The foreigners — two from Australia, one each from Brazil, France and the Philippines and four from Africa — have all lost appeals for mercy from President Jokow Widodo, who argues that Indonesia is fighting a drugs emergency.

“We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty but we do deplore what’s been done and this cannot be simply business as usual,” said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.