ndonesia Drug Convicts Executed prisoners buried as Australia recalls ambassador in protest

The prisoners reportedly refused to wear blindfolds for the execution, opting to face their executioners and sing Christian songs.

The 8 prisoners, which included 3 Nigerians, who were yesterday executed in Indonesia for drug related offences have been buried.

Reports say the condemned prisoners who were killed by firing squad refused to wear blindfolds and sang as they were shot in the heart by a 13-member firing squad in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Indonesian time).

The 8 men reportedly chose to face their executioners and walked onto the killing field singing religious songs which included 'Amazing Grace'. This is according to Pastor Christie Buckingham, who read the men their last rites.

Pastor Buckingham further said the men conducted themselves with 'dignity and strength until the end', while another pastor, Karina de Vega, said it was a 'beautiful experience'.

play Some of the executed have already been buried in Indonesia (BBC)

Hours after the executions, ambulances left the prison island, taking the prisoners' bodies to their chosen funeral sites in Indonesia or their home countries.

A 9th person, Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso from Philippines, who was to be executed with the rest of the group was granted a last minute stay of execution after Philippines officials said a woman she had accused of planting drugs on her was in police custody.

play Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso hugs her family in relief following her stay of execution (BBC)

Nigerians Raheem Agbaje Salami, Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise and Okwudili Oyatanze were among those who were executed.

Meanwhile Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the execution as "both cruel and unnecessary," adding that Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were Australian citizens and among those executed had been "fully rehabilitated" while in prison.

While respecting Indonesia's sovereignty, Abbott said "this cannot be simply business as usual" and the country has since gone on to recall its ambassador making it the first time Australia would recall its ambassador from Indonesia and also its first ever recall over the execution of its citizen abroad.

Meanwhile Indonesian Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo defended the executions, saying his country was fighting a war on drugs.