The death penalty was demanded for one of the alleged Bali Nine ringleaders after Indonesian prosecutors said there was no reason to show leniency

Cindy Wockner:

The prosecutors' decision to call for death by firing squad for Myuran Sukumaran sounds an ominous warning for the other alleged ringleader, Andrew Chan, who is due to hear his sentence demand tomorrow. It is expected to be the same.

However, as Sukumaran faced paying the ultimate price for his part in the alleged heroin smuggling operation, one of the four so-called airport mules, Michael William Czugaj, escaped calls for the death penalty and is facing a life sentence instead.

Sukumaran's eyes widened as the words "hukuman mati" - Indonesian for death penalty - sank in.

Sukumaran, 24, from Auburn in Sydney, sat largely impassive as the hour-long prosecution summary of the case against him was recited.

Prosecutors painted a picture of the drug smuggling ring's organiser, who, together with Chan, paid for trips, expenses and mobile phones for his subordinates.

He had also allegedly been involved in strapping the 8.2kg of heroin to the bodies of the four mules and the issuing of death threats and had attended meetings with other members of the gang.

Prosecutors alleged that the drug ring was an international network that had been organised with secrecy and in a neat and tidy fashion, with members of the nine being warned to pretend not to know other members of the gang.

In regard to mitigating factors, prosecutor Olopan Nainggolan said there were "tidak ada" - none.

He said the evidence had shown Sukumaran was legally and convincingly guilty of exporting narcotics as part of an organisation.

"Deliver the sentence to Myuran Sukumaran of death," prosecutor David Adji told the judges.

Sukumaran's translator whispered to him that the authorities wanted his punishment to be death.

For a moment, his eyes widened as he asked her "what?" but he remained remarkably calm and showed little emotion as the words sank in.

Outside court his lawyer hit out at the Australian Federal Police's role in tipping off Indonesian authorities about the nine's presence in Bali.

The court has heard that the AFP sent a letter to their Bali counterparts on April 8 telling them the young Australians were coming to Bali for a drug operation.

Mohammed Rifan said he was "very, very disappointed" and surprised with the sentence request, saying his client had not been afforded a fair trial.

There were no members of Sukumaran's family in court although his younger brother had previously testified in his defence.

Brisbane man Czugaj, 20, also appeared pale but calm as he heard prosecutors request he be jailed for life - the same request handed down on Monday for his friend and fellow mule, Scott Rush.

Later Czugaj said he had been expecting the same result and had been prepared.

A prosecutor submitted that Czugaj had been co-operative in court, he now regretted his actions and was still young and could make amends for his faults.

However, he said Czugaj's crime was still demanding of a heavy penalty because his actions could damage Indonesia's image and his crime was committed as part of an organisation.

Outside court Czugaj's lawyer Fransiskus Passar said his client was strong and had been prepared for the demand.

Mr Passar said he had been giving Czugaj both legal and spiritual advice.

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