Diplomatic storm over Bali police snaps
Australia will lodge a diplomatic protest with Jakarta after a senior Indonesian police officer posed for a macabre "selfie" with the condemned members of the Bali Nine.
_The West Australian _understands Indonesian officials could be hauled into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today to hear an official complaint.
Australia will also vent its anger about the excessive use of police and military force in the transfer of the two prisoners on Wednesday.
Photos have surfaced of Denpasar police chief Djoko Hari Utomo with Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran on their last flight before execution.
The pictures, which appeared on Indonesian news websites, show him grinning with his arm on Chan's shoulder, as if for a happy snap. The images appear to have been leaked with police approval.
Indonesian authorities had a massive security cordon around the transfer in part to foil media photographers.
DFAT tried last night to locate Indonesian ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, who was in Perth this week, to deliver the protest.
Senior Commissioner Djoko told Fairfax Media he was not posing but was photographed trying to raise the spirits of the Australians and "it was not a selfie moment".
Chan appears stunned.
Also yesterday, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made clear her anger at the over-the-top military and police muscle used to move the men to a prison island for execution.
Chan and Sukumaran were escorted to a fleet of armoured cars by elite counter-terror unit Gegana. Indonesian fighter jets have also made low passes over Kerobokan jail in recent days.
"I cannot comprehend the manner or the method of their transfer," Ms Bishop said.
"They are two men who are described by their own prison governors as model citizens, two gentlemen who pose no risk to anyone."
The Government is continuing to weigh its response should the pair be killed and ministers refused to comment on suggestions diplomats or aid might be withdrawn and defence exercises cancelled.
Australia is in the process of gifting or selling at a cut price nine ex-RAAF Hercules aircraft to Indonesia in a goodwill program.
Three have been handed over but the rest need maintenance Australia will pay for. The planes are worth about $30 million each.
Early yesterday, politicians from all parties held a vigil for Chan and Sukumaran and Prime Minister Tony Abbott again implored his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo to spare the two Australians.
In Sydney, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin denied the agency was responsible for the pair facing death because of its tip-off to Indonesian police.
