Bali Nine
Australian supporters of executed "Bali Nine" ringleader Myuran Sukumaran light candles at a vigil last week in Sydney. Reuters

Over 1,200 people gathered at the Day Spring Church in Sydney, Australia, Saturday for the funeral of Myuran Sukumaran, one of the ringleaders of the "Bali Nine" drug smuggling operation, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

Sukumaran and his co-conspirators were arrested in Indonesia in 2005 after attempting to smuggle eight kilograms of heroin out of the country and back to Australia. Indonesian officials executed Sukumaran and Andrew Chan by firing squad last Wednesday.

The executions sparked outrage in Australia, where many criticized the Australian police for not arresting the Bali Nine in Australia before they left for Indonesia. According to ABC News Australia, Australian officials maintain that they did not have sufficient evidence to detain the group. Indonesia, meanwhile, has defended the executions as vital to their ongoing war on the country’s drug trade.

Australian painter Ben Quilty, who mentored Sukumaran during his 10 years in prison in Indonesia, was present at Saturday’s memorial service, along with family, friends and members of the general public. The service featured a video displaying pictures of Sukumaran, while five paintings he made while in prison were displayed on a stage.

On Friday, thousands had shown up for the funeral of Andrew Chan in Baulkham Hills.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the executions of Sukumaran and Chan were a "dark moment" in his country’s relations with Indonesia. He has withdrawn Australia’s ambassador from the country.

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