Source: ANN
It could be hailed as one of the most distinctive weddings of the year in Indonesia, as 34-year-old prisoner Martin Eric Stephen tied the knot with Christine Winarni Puspayanti in a solemn ceremony at Kerobokan Prison in Kuta on Monday morning.
The groom, one of nine Australian citizens involved in drug trafficking known as the "Bali Nine" and sentenced to life in prison, looked like a Javanese prince dressed in a white jacket with black and white batik and a red batik shawl with a kris as an accessory.
Christine, a single mother of a 12-year-old girl, wore a long, white kebaya (traditional blouse), adorned with silver flowers in her hair.
The couple was near tears when Priest Thompson Manafe from the United Protestant Church began the ceremony, witnessed by family and friends including Bali Nine convicts Andrew Chen, Scott Anthony Rush, Matthew James Norman, Rene Lawrence, Si Yi Chen, Tan Duc Than Ngu Yen and Michael Czugaj, except for Myuaran Sukumaran who was not present at the wedding.
A representative from the Australian Consulate in Denpasar and Siswanto, the chief of Kerobokan Prison, also attended the ceremony.
"They are united as one by God and blessed by Him," the priest declared.
Kerobokan Prison was transformed into a lavish wedding venue, attractively decorated with gold, white and green ornaments and flowers.
"I feel so happy. I am very happy because people are coming. Thank you so much for coming. Terima kasih [thank you]," Stephen said.
The wedding reception was enlivened by a band that performed Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's evergreen song Endless Love.
Stephen was imprisoned for life for trafficking 8.9 kilograms of heroine with the other Bali Nine members. He has filed for judicial appeals several times. The Supreme Court rejected his appeal in 2009.
His lawyers are now seeking a presidential pardon.
Stephen and Christine's romance began six years ago when she visited her friend at Kerobokan Prison.
"When I met Stephen, I prayed to God. If he was meant for me, let him be with me," recalled Christine.
She said she was not worried about his prisoner status. "God will have His own ways. He will give us the best way; I strongly believe in the power of God," she said.
Siswanto said Stephen had informed him about the wedding three months ago. "Stephen has been a good prisoner here. Getting married is a civil right, and we have to abide by the law by providing facilities to those who want to do so," he said.
This was the third wedding ceremony held at Kerobokan Prison.
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It could be hailed as one of the most distinctive weddings of the year in Indonesia, as 34-year-old prisoner Martin Eric Stephen tied the knot with Christine Winarni Puspayanti in a solemn ceremony at Kerobokan Prison in Kuta on Monday morning.
The groom, one of nine Australian citizens involved in drug trafficking known as the "Bali Nine" and sentenced to life in prison, looked like a Javanese prince dressed in a white jacket with black and white batik and a red batik shawl with a kris as an accessory.
Christine, a single mother of a 12-year-old girl, wore a long, white kebaya (traditional blouse), adorned with silver flowers in her hair.
The couple was near tears when Priest Thompson Manafe from the United Protestant Church began the ceremony, witnessed by family and friends including Bali Nine convicts Andrew Chen, Scott Anthony Rush, Matthew James Norman, Rene Lawrence, Si Yi Chen, Tan Duc Than Ngu Yen and Michael Czugaj, except for Myuaran Sukumaran who was not present at the wedding.
A representative from the Australian Consulate in Denpasar and Siswanto, the chief of Kerobokan Prison, also attended the ceremony.
"They are united as one by God and blessed by Him," the priest declared.
Kerobokan Prison was transformed into a lavish wedding venue, attractively decorated with gold, white and green ornaments and flowers.
"I feel so happy. I am very happy because people are coming. Thank you so much for coming. Terima kasih [thank you]," Stephen said.
The wedding reception was enlivened by a band that performed Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's evergreen song Endless Love.
Stephen was imprisoned for life for trafficking 8.9 kilograms of heroine with the other Bali Nine members. He has filed for judicial appeals several times. The Supreme Court rejected his appeal in 2009.
His lawyers are now seeking a presidential pardon.
Stephen and Christine's romance began six years ago when she visited her friend at Kerobokan Prison.
"When I met Stephen, I prayed to God. If he was meant for me, let him be with me," recalled Christine.
She said she was not worried about his prisoner status. "God will have His own ways. He will give us the best way; I strongly believe in the power of God," she said.
Siswanto said Stephen had informed him about the wedding three months ago. "Stephen has been a good prisoner here. Getting married is a civil right, and we have to abide by the law by providing facilities to those who want to do so," he said.
This was the third wedding ceremony held at Kerobokan Prison.
