Joko Widodo: No foreign interference on death penalty

Indonesian President Joko Widodo says foreign nations should not interfere in his country's right to use the death penalty.

He is under pressure from the leaders of Australia, Brazil and France, whose citizens are among 11 people facing death for drug trafficking. Mr Widodo restated that the executions by firing squad would go ahead.

Early on, a Jakarta court threw out an appeal by two Australians against their presidential clemency rejection.

Indonesia has some of the world's harshest drug trafficking penalties.

It resumed executions in 2013 after a four year moratorium and new leader Mr Widodo is taking a much tougher stance on the issue. In January, six traffickers - including five foreign nationals - were executed.

A second round of executions involving 11 people is expected in coming days.

BBC