The AFP confirmed it had been approached by the Indonesian National Police for assistance but would seek ministerial approval before releasing any information. Jessica Wongso, right, takes part in a police-organised re-enactment at the Olivier Cafe, where the poisoning was found to have taken place. Credit:Twitter Under the AFP guidelines on international police assistance in death penalty situations, ministerial approval is required if a person has been detained, arrested, charged or convicted of an offence that carries the death penalty. Ms Wongso and Ms Salihin reportedly studied together at Billy Blue College of Design in Sydney and Swinburne University of Technology. Ms Wongso worked for NSW Ambulance until late last year.

"The AFP has been advised by the Indonesian National Police of the arrest of Ms Wongso for murder, which attracts the death penalty," a spokesman said. "The AFP can confirm that they have not released any information to the Indonesian National Police in relation to this request and will seek ministerial approval for any such release." Wayan Mirna Salihin was poisoned with cyanide in Jakarta. Credit:Facebook The AFP faced criticism for handing over information to Indonesian authorities about the Bali nine, which led to their arrests for heroin smuggling in 2005. The coordinators of the Bali nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in Indonesia last year. New guidelines for the AFP's role in cases involving the death penalty were introduced in 2009 after a federal court exonerated the AFP from acting unlawfully in the Bali nine case but argued new protocols were needed. The guidelines require senior AFP officials to take into account a series of factors before providing assistance in potential death penalty scenarios. These include whether the information is favourable to the defendant, the nationality of the person involved, the person's age and personal circumstances, the seriousness of the suspected criminal activity and the likelihood the death penalty will be imposed.

Australia's interest in promoting and securing cooperation from overseas agencies in combating crime is also a consideration. This information would all be provided to Mr Keenan by the AFP to assist him make a decision. A spokeswoman for Mr Keenan said the minister was yet to receive a formal request for approval of assistance from the AFP under the death penalty guidelines. Ms Wongso and Ms Salihin met at Olivier Cafe in Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall on January 6. Ms Salihin took a sip of the Vietnamese iced coffee, which Ms Wongso had reportedly ordered for her. She began to suffer convulsions and foam at the mouth and died on the way to the hospital.

Jakarta Police spokesman Muhammad Iqbal said Ms Wongso had been arrested last Saturday. "She is being detained under article 340 (of the criminal code) for premeditated murder," he said. Mr Iqbal said Ms Wongso and the victim had a connection with Australia which is why police had sought assistance from the AFP. Ms Wongso's lawyer, Yudi Wibowo, said police had no proof of his client's involvement. "What can the AFP provide? Criminal records, she has none. She and Mirna were just friends, nothing else. What's being reported (in the media) are all lies, not true." He said Ms Wongso was doing fine, considering the circumstances. "Right now, we are just going along with the police investigation."

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