Bali Nine: Andrew Chan’s Final Pledge As Told By Brother Michael Chan

Andrew Chan left the world with a legacy — a fight to abolish death penalty. Bali Nine Duo has been executed on Wednesday, April 29 by a firing squad in Nusakambangan Prison Island near Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia yet the battle for their cause is not over.

The tale of Andrew Chan’s final hours, leading to his execution, was shared by his older brother, Michael Chan, a day after the execution. Andrew died ahead of co-fellow death row convict Myuran Sukumaran.

According to Michael, Andrew carried himself with hope right to the end. Andrew’s death, along with 7 others, was not in vain. Instead, it became a strong catalyst to put a halt on death penalty. Michael in particular, does not want Andrew’s death to be in vain.

“I just hope that someone has a good look at the whole death penalty. It’s atrocious, it’s barbaric, hopefully these boys have set the platform for that to happen. I want to show people what the death penalty does and what havoc it causes. It makes it that much more bearable, to a degree, for me anyway, knowing that he went out that way, so dignified and with so much courage. Not everyone can do that,” Michael said.

There were three things that Andrew Chan will especially do during his execution — sing a hymn, wear his Penrith jersey and refuse to wear the blindfold. He did all three and even looked at his executors in the eye.

Michael also said that knowing how the execution went for Michael made the agony bearable. Among others, Michael learned Andrew gave every guard a hug as he was escorted to the execution field. A few of the guards even apologised to Andrew and many of them shed tears, Michael claimed.

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