Bali Nine 'ringleader' facing death penalty

Michael Czugaj

DENPASAR - Indonesian prosecutors have demanded death for an alleged Bali Nine ringleader but life in prison for a drug mule.

The starkly different prosecution calls yesterday made it clear that Indonesian authorities want to draw a line of life and death between those accused of being the gang ringleaders and the so-called "heroin mules" who say they were forced into becoming drug couriers.

Prosecutors recommended Michael Czugaj be found guilty and sentenced to life for heroin smuggling. About an hour before, they demanded death for Myuran Sukumaran, 24, of Sydney.

Czugaj, 20, of Brisbane, looked pale and nervous but remained calm as the prosecutors read out their submission in the Denpasar District Court.

On Monday, prosecutors also demanded life in prison for another of the mules, Scott Rush, 20, of Brisbane, who is Czugaj's friend.

Other Bali Nine mules were expected to hear similar prosecutor demands to judges for life imprisonment today.

Tomorrow Andrew Chan, 21, of Sydney - accused of being the gangs' "godfather" and Sukumaran's partner - might also face calls for his execution.

- AAP