Indonesia considering death penalty stance: Tony Abbott

Canberra, Feb 26: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday said Indonesia is "carefully considering" its stance on the death penalty on two Australian citizens.

Australia is currently pleading to the Indonesian government for clemency for two of its citizens -- Andrew Chan, 31, and Myuran Sukumaran, 33 -- who were sentenced to death for smuggling 8.3 kg of heroin from Indonesia to Australia in 2005.

Earlier in the week, Chan and Sukumaran were denied a review into their failed applications for clemency, with the duo set to be executed imminently.

However, Australia's representations continue with Abbott holding a conversation via phone with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"It was a positive sign that the conversation took place," Abbott said.

"I don't think it would help the case of these two young Australians if I was to start ventilating in public the contents of the conversation. Suffice to say that the President absolutely understands our position and I think he is carefully considering Indonesia's position," he said.

Tony Abbott stressed that his comments were not intended to raise hopes that both Chan and Sukumaran's lives would be spared.

IANS