Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan have arrived at the island where it is expected they will be executed.
Reality sets in ... Andrew Chan on the plane to Nusakambangan. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
AN old school friend of Andrew Chan, who has been exchanging texts with him, says his mate is in shock and disbelief that his execution is actually happening.
A friend, known only as Sami, told 9NEWS, had been texting with Chan as recently as Monday night.
In contact ... 'Sami' says he has been in constant contact with Andrew Chan. Picture: 9News. Source: Supplied
Even he thought it was never going to happen, because he thought we're in the limelight – it'll cool down, it'll be alright," he told 9NEWS.
Sami, who met Chan in year seven at Homebush Boys High, said Chain had maintained a "good attitude" towards his impending execution, at one point writing "all good bro".
"[He's] always positive, but I think he was really expecting the Australian government to do a lot more," he said.
Texts ... Sami and Andrew Chan have been in regular contact. Picture: 9NEWS> Source: Supplied
In a brutal show of force, Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been treated like vicious international terrorists during their transfer to Nusakambangan prison island for their execution.
The rehabilitated drug criminals were handcuffed and chained at the feet as members of the special Gegana anti-terror unit, hiding behind balaclavas, led the men onto a flight in Bali early on Wednesday morning.
Excessive force ... Bali Nine ringleader Myuran Sukumaran pictured on the tarmac at Cilacap airport — on his way to Nusakambangan Island. Source: Supplied
The use of hundreds of police, armoured personnel carriers and fighter jets that screamed alongside as the Australians were flown from Bali to Java was excessive and macabre, as Indonesia went all out to expose the men to a final humiliation.
Chan and Sukumaran were brave but looked scared as they were led up the steps of the plane for the one hour and 45 minute flight west, accompanied by 35 armed guards and a handful of prosecutors.
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Final journey ... Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran chat to the head of the corrections department at Kerobokan before their transfer to Nusakambangan Island. Source: Supplied
Upon arrival in Cilacap on south Java, they were shuffled into Barracuda armoured personnel carriers followed by mini-vans loaded to the gunnels with paramilitary officers brandishing assault rifles.
Four fighter jets armed with what appeared to be sidewinder missiles shot over the Cilacap airport after the charter plane delivered the men, then circled back over the airfield flying low and titling their wings to signify victory.
Armed guards ... Myuran Sukumaran sits on the plane to the prison island of Nusakambangan. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied
The extraordinarily disproportionate show of muscle was final confirmation that Indonesia will not retreat from its plans to execute the Australians and up to eight others, possibly after midnight on Sunday.
Final humiliation ... Myuran Sukumaran is escorted by armed guards at Cilacap airport., Source: Supplied
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was "revolted" by the thought they would be shot.
"I continue to put it to the Indonesian Government and people that this execution would be against their best interests and it would be against their best values," he said.
There were heartbreaking scenes as Andrew Chan's brother and girlfriend were refused a final chance to say goodbye at Kerobokan jail due to the paranoid level of security surrounding the transfer.
Julie Bishop has used parliament to plead with the Indonesian president to spare the Bali Nine pair.
Chan had made one final request before being taken away: "Is it possible to meet my girlfriend?" he asked.
Chan's girlfriend Febyanti Herewila and brother Michael turned up at Kerobokan jail on Wednesday morning but were turned away with tears in their eyes.
Too much pain to bear ... Michael Chan and Febyanti Herewila, the girlfriend of Andrew Chan, arrive to watch the Indonesian police Barracuda as it drives out of Kerobokan jail. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia
Chan told friends at the prison on the evening before he was shifted: "I'll be moving out of my five star resort most likely tonight. Remember I love everyone. Speak when I can."
Kerobokan's Governor Sudjonggo and staff spent several hours with Chan and Sukumaran on Tuesday night, explaining what would happen to them the next morning.
Surrounded by guards ... Indonesian Police Special Forces escort Andrew Chan as he arrives at Tunggul Wulung Airport in Cilacap, Central Java. Source: News Corp Australia
He said they told him: "We are ready. That's okay. Please look after the other prisoners."
"Myuran asked, 'Can I bring this? A pencil and drawing book.' Then the deputy Bali police chief said, 'You can. But all should be in one plastic bag,'" Sudjonggo said.
Chan's brother Michael said last night that he was devastated and lost for words.
"I am devastated really, to be quite honest," Mr Chan told News Corporation.
"I am still trying to register it all. I still can't believe it has happened. I don't even know what to say to be quite frank, I don't even know what to say."
Dreaded journey ... relatives of Myuran Sukumaran leave Sydney airport for Bali. Source: News Corp Australia
After departing Bali only days earlier for Australia, Sukumaran's brother and sisters were yesterday making their way from Sydney to the prison island, where they will join their mother, Raji, who has remained in Indonesia.
Chan's mother Helen was yesterday also returning to Indonesia from Sydney.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Parliament she spoke with the families of the men after their transfer: "As you can imagine they are devastated but they are just living day by day," she said.
The Australians and so far seven other condemned people have gone into isolation cells in the island's high-security prisons.
Force ... Indonesian police take Chan and Sukumaran to Wijaya Pura port in Cilacap, Central Java. Source: AP
They will be given 72 hours' notice prior to the execution, in which they can meet with consular officials, loved ones and spiritual advisers.
Yesterday afternoon there was a meeting in Cilacap of official to confirm the execution date, which will come shortly after midnight and be conducted in a purpose-built killing field on Nusakambangan.
Diplomat efforts have faltered and now failed, leading the Prime Minister to resort to harder language as the clock runs down.
Final leg ... a ferry transfers Indonesian police vehicles carrying Chan and Sukumaran to Nusakambangan island. Source: AP
"We abhor drug crime but we also abhor the death penalty," Mr Abbott told ABC radio. "We think it is beneath a country such as Indonesia."
Indonesia's Attorney General HM Prasetyo, speaking in Jakarta, did not apologise for the farcical show of force used during the transfer. "Of course there were teams that guard them," he said. "This is a long journey. They are not a tourist."
By comparison to the hysteria surrounding the transfer of Chan and Sukumaran, Nigerian death-row prisoner Raheem Agbaje Salami arrived on Wednesday from a prison in Madiun, in East Java, in a solitary van.
Nightmare ... police arrive at Kerobokan jail at 3am for the Bali Nine duo's transfer to Nusakambangan island for their execution. Picture: Adam Taylor Source: News Corp Australia
It leaves little doubt the performance was entirely for Australia's benefit.
Mr Prasetyo said authorities were still deciding how many people would be executed.
"We are still evaluating. It does not mean that we are doubtful or scared. But this is related with life," Mr Prasetyo said.
"All are drug cases. We want to show, send a message to others, the world, that Indonesia is currently working hard to combat drugs."
A candlelit vigil will be held in honour of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in the forecourt of Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday morning.
Parliamentarians and the public are invited to "share their hopes and prayers that the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran may be spared" a statement said.
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