Death Sentence For 2 Aussies In Bali

Two Australians were sentenced to death by firing squad Tuesday for leading a drug smuggling ring on Indonesia's resort island of Bali.

The trials of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been closely watched in Australia, which opposes the death penalty and where stiff sentences for drug offenses have in the past sparked public outcry.

The pair were found guilty of leading seven other Australians in a foiled operation to smuggle 8 kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin from Bali to their homeland last April.

Some members of the "Bali Nine" were detained at the airport with heroin allegedly strapped to their bodies, others at a hotel room where they were purportedly plotting another shipment.

A three-judge panel at the Denpasar District Court found Sukumaran, 24, guilty of heading the group and sentenced him to death.

Earlier Tuesday in a separate trial, Chan, 22, was also told he would go before a firing squad.

Drug mules Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephens, Renae Lawrence, Scott Rush, were sentenced to life in prison Monday and Tuesday. The verdicts for the remaining members of the group were expected later this week.

The trials are the latest of several drug cases involving Australians in Indonesia.

Last year, Australian lingerie model Michelle Leslie, 24, was sentenced to three months in jail for using drugs. Former beautician Schapelle Corby, 28, was sentenced to 20 years for smuggling marijuana onto the island.