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Family of Filipino maid facing death for drug trafficking in Indonesia appeals for clemency

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Cesar and Celia Veloso, parents of convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, wait outside the Indonesian Embassy at the financial district of Makati city, east of Manila, Philippines to deliver an open letter addressed to Indonesian President Joko Widodo Wednesday, April 8, 2015. In the open letter, the Veloso family is asking for clemency to save the life of Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso who was convicted for drug trafficking in Indonesia and is sentenced to be executed after her appeal was rejected by the Indonesian Supreme Court March 26. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Celia Veloso, mother of convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, breaks down during a news conference Monday, April 7, 2015 outside the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, Philippines, on the planned execution of her daughter in Indonesia. The Veloso family appealed to the government to do something to prevent the executions of Mary Jane and eight other foreign nationals in Indonesia. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Supporters display placards outside the Indonesian Embassy at the financial district of Makati city, east of Manila, Philippines during a picket Wednesday, April 8, 2015 to ask for clemency for convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso. Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso was convicted for drug trafficking in Indonesia and is sentenced to be executed after her appeal was rejected by the Indonesian Supreme Court March 26. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Family members of a Filipino maid facing the death penalty after being convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia have made a last-minute appeal for clemency to the country's president.

The parents, siblings and two young sons of Mary Jane Veloso delivered the open letter to President Joko Widodo to the Indonesian Embassy on Wednesday and appealed for "mercy and compassion" for the 30-year-old single mother.

The letter says Veloso was tricked by a compatriot into carrying 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin in her luggage, and says she was a victim of drug syndicates.

Indonesia's highest court last month rejected a judicial review petition by Veloso, who is among 10 foreigner drug smugglers facing death by a firing squad.