Penitentiary Provides Psychologists For Death Convicts

Denpasar, Bali (Antara Bali) - The penitentiary in Denpasar, Bali, has provided psychologists to help in case death convicts from Australia Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran need their counseling ahead of their execution.

"We have prepared psychologists from local state Udayana University and Sanglah regional hospital for the two death convicts," head of the penitentiary, Sudjonggo, said here on Tuesday.

He said psychological counseling would be given in case the convicts need it.

Right now however psychological conditions of the two convicts are still normal and they still conduct activities as usual. "In case development happens disrupting their mental state before their transfer we will conduct examination," he added.

Ahead of their transfer to a maximum security prison on the island of Nusakambangan off Central Java before execution is done the Indonesian military (TNI) has prepared its Sukhoi fighter planes to escort their transfer.

"We have also prepared Raiders and Cavalry troops to assure the security of the two death convicts - Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran - during the transfer from Kerobokan penitentiary to Ngurah Rai airporot," the commander of the 9th Udayana Military Command, Major General Torry Djohar Banguntoro said.

He made the statement when asked by Antara regarding TNI`s preparations with regard to the transfer of the Bali Nine drug ring members from Bali to Nusakambangan.

"There has been an order coming from the TNI commander for him to help secure the process of transfer of the death convicts. A squadron of Sukhoi planes have been made ready to escort the Hercules plane that would be used to take the death convicts. There will also be a patrol in the sea and land security operations," he said after meeting with House Commission I members in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, recently.

Indonesia plans to execute 11 death row convicts, including two narcotic drug convicts from Australia, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, soon.

Australia has already appealed to Indonesia to cancel the executions, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott even invoking Australia`s aid to 2004 tsunami victims in Aceh.  (WDY)