Frank Amado - Indonesia

Last updated: 17 August 2011

The first American to face the death penalty in Indonesia

Frank Amado, an American citizen, whose father served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, has been sentenced to death by firing squad in Indonesia. He is the first American to face the death penalty in Indonesia.

Frank was arrested on 19 October 2009 after being found in possession of large quantities of methamphetamine. He has reported serious flaws in the handling of his case: inadequate translation and disclosure of information on the case against him, coercion into signing false statements and restrictions on the defence team’s ability to call and cross examine witnesses. Furthermore, some Indonesian press outlets were informed of his sentence before the case had fully concluded.

Although Frank has always taken responsibility for the offence, he maintains that his role in the operation was minimal and that the only reason he now sits on Death Row is because he could not afford to pay the Indonesian authorities cash ‘gifts’ of tens of thousands of dollars.

Once in prison, Frank was shocked by the conditions – healthcare is barely present, and what is provided has to be privately paid for by the inmates. As a result, the inmates frequently suffer from lesions, diarrhoea, flu and eye infections. Thankfully Frank’s mother has been able to provide him with some money but she is 75 and has already spent the majority of her savings helping her son.

Fair Trials International is corresponding with American politicians and Indonesian lawyers in an attempt to have Mr. Amado’s sentence commuted from death. Frank has already launched one unsuccessful appeal, and now awaits the results of his second; after this he only has one more attempt open to him before his sentence is absolutely final.