Indonesia faces int'l resistance to imminent executions

Canberra

INDONESIA is facing an international backlash as it prepares to execute 10 convicted drug smugglers by firing squad as early as Tuesday, with Australia issuing a last-ditch appeal for clemency for two of its citizens.

The Australians, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were on Saturday given a 72-hour notice period before their execution, Tony Spontana, spokesman for the Indonesian attorney general's office, said by text message. French President Francois Hollande has said that there will be "consequences" if one of its citizens is put to death.

President Joko Widodo's resumption of executions for drug smugglers after a hiatus under his predecessor has increased international focus on South-east Asia's largest economy and the world's fourth-most populous nation. Australia, which has …