The Temper Trap Make Plea For Aussie Heroin Smuggler On Death Row

Dougy Mandagi, frontman of The Temper Trap, has made a plea to fans to spare the life of his friend and convicted heroin smuggler Andrew Chan.

Chan is one of the infamous ‘Bali 9’, currently in line to face the firing squad. Earlier this month six people — five of them foreigners — were executed by the Indonesian government on drug charges.

In a post on the band’s Facebook page Mandagi writes, “I usually never do this but seeing as that this is a matter of life and death, literally… here it goes. Many of you don't know this but in the last year or so I have developed a friendship with a certain individual behind bars.

“His name is Andrew Chan and he has been incarcerated in Kerobokan prison in Bali for ten years now. He is guilty of being the ring leader of a heroin smuggling operation. He has exhausted all his appeals and is now facing the firing squad.”

Arrested for smuggling drugs in Indonesia in 2005, Chan is scheduled for execution this year alongside fellow Australian ‘Bali 9’ convicted smuggler Myuran Sukumaran. Sukumara’s appeal for a presedential pardon was rejected, while Chan’s application is still under consideration.

Mandagi is urging fans to sign the Mercy Campaign petition to urge Indonesian authorities to pardon Chan’s life.

“I obviously would not be writing this if I didn't think Andrew more than deserves another chance,” he wrote. “The Andrew that walked in that cell ten years ago would not recognise the Andrew today. Completely rehabilitated and transformed, Andrew's life is just beginning and is now in grave danger of being snuffed out at its prime.

“Yes, he was guilty but he has turned himself around and is changing the world around him. What a waste it would be to end this life that is so full of promise.”

Fans have had a mixed reaction to the post, with some condemning the post.

One follower Allan wrote, “Do the crime, do the time. Simple as that and HOW dare you use your popularity at an artist to try and exploit this. I got busted 20 years ago, dos my time and got my life together. Had I thought I could suffer the death penalty beforehand, I'm pretty sure I would [not] have dealt drugs either. Sorry.”

Another fan, Alan, wrote, “We need to stop supporting the death of our fellow human beings, there is no reason on this earth to become God and kill in his name, no matter what the reason.”