Indonesia executes eight prisoners for drugs offences

Eight convicted drug smugglers have been executed by firing squad in Indonesia.

The executions took place in Besi prison on the island of Nusakambangan early on Wednesday morning local time.

Among those executed were Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. Earlier, the men's families were allowed to see them for the last time.

Australia had appealed to Indonesia to delay the executions, citing alleged flaws in how their case was prosecuted.

Those put to death also include Nigerian nationals, a Brazilian and an Indonesian.

Filipina woman Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was also due to be executed, but this was postponed at the last minute after a request by the Philippine president, a spokesman from the attorney general's office told the BBC.

The request came after someone suspected of framing Veloso to carry heroin into Indonesia surrendered to police in the Philippines, the spokesman went on.

'A MIRACLE'

Indonesia would give Veloso the chance to testify as a witness in the trial in the Philippines, the spokesman said.

Her mother described the last minute reprieve as a "miracle".

"We are so happy, I can't believe it. I can't believe my child will live," Celia Veloso told Philippine radio station DZMM.

A Frenchman also convicted of drug offences, Serge Areski Atlaoui, has also been sentenced to death but has an appeal outstanding.

Earlier, the eight prisoners were allowed to spend their final moments with their families.

Relatives of Chan and Sukumaran were visibly distressed and Sukumaran's sister collapsed and had to be carried to the prison.

Indonesia has some of the toughest drug laws in the world and ended a four-year moratorium on executions in 2013.

It says it takes a hard line because of the country's own drugs problem - 33 Indonesians die every day as a result of drugs, according to Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency.