As the families of Bali nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran struggle with the anniversary of their execution, news that two Iranian inmates entrusted with their legacy have been suddenly shifted from Kerobokan prison has added to their anguish.

Ali Reza Safar Khanloo and Rouhallah Series Abadi were among 63 prisoners moved this week from the Bali prison that was home to Chan and Sukumaran for more than a decade, part of a cohort judged to be "emotionally easy to provoke and who caused disturbances".

"It's pretty upsetting," said Andrew Chan's brother Michael. "Knowing those two Iranian boys are going ... there, pretty much, goes the painting studio and BengKer [workshop] as well."

The workshop, housed in an building that had previously been used by inmates to manufacture the drug ecstasy, has long been at the heart of the Bali nine pair's rehabilitation programs.

Used initially to conduct computer training classes, the space later morphed into an art and craft studio, with inmates undertaking painting, jewellery making and T-shirt printing.

Ali and Rouhallah, also known as Rahol, oversaw the facility after the death of the Australians.

Chan and Sukumaran were killed in the early hours of April 29 last year. Michael Chan says the emotions are raw. "This week has been tough," he says.

The family will mark the anniversary on Friday with a quiet "get-together" at their Sydney home. Andrew Chan's wife Febyanti Herewila – they married on the eve of the execution – has flown in for the occasion.

Like Michael Chan, she is disturbed that Indonesia has announced it will end a moratorium on executions since the pair were killed alongside six other drug traffickers a year ago.

"What is Andrew's legacy? Of course, the first one is to abolish the death penalty," she said in comments posted on the website of Reprieve, an anti-death penalty group.

"Andrew wants the young people from around the world to learn from his life, Whatever decisions you make today will determine your future."

Andrew Chan was an obsessive rugby league supporter and devoted fan of the Penrith Panthers.

Now the season is in full swing, his brother – a Canterbury Bulldogs fan – says his absence has hit home.

"I miss the good old banter we used to have," he says. "This time of year, he'd be telling me how good his team is. I'd be telling him how shit his team is."

The Sukumaran clan remains deeply wounded by the loss of Myuran and, according to family friends distressed at the precarious future of the Kerobokan workshop.

A church service will be held for Myuran Sukumaran on Saturday.

Next year an exhibition of his artwork, curated by his painting mentor Ben Quilty, will be held.