Lindsay Sandiford, a 69-year-old British grandmother, has returned to the UK after spending 12 years on death row in Indonesia due to a drug trafficking conviction. She was sentenced to death in 2013 after being found with nearly 5 kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately £1.6 million ($2.1 million) upon her arrival in Bali from Thailand in 2012. This case highlights Indonesia’s severe drug laws, under which Sandiford was imprisoned.
Recently, Indonesia has released several high-profile detainees, including members of the “Bali Nine” drug ring. Sandiford’s repatriation was part of a deal between the UK and Indonesian governments and included another British national, Shahab Shahabadi, who had been serving a life sentence for drug smuggling. Their flight departed Bali around 00:30 local time (16:30 GMT Thursday).
Both individuals had reportedly been experiencing health issues while incarcerated. Indonesia’s senior law and human rights minister noted that Sandiford was “seriously ill,” while Shahabadi was reported to have various serious health problems, including mental health issues. Sandiford appeared at a press conference in a wheelchair shortly before her departure to the UK.
Although Sandiford admitted to her crimes in 2013, she claimed she was coerced into carrying the drugs due to threats against her son by a drug syndicate. The UK’s Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Matthew Downing, stated that the repatriation was on “humanitarian grounds,” and upon their return, both individuals would receive necessary medical treatment while adhering to UK laws and procedures.
In recent months, other detainees, including the last remaining members of the “Bali Nine” and Filipina Mary Jane Veloso, who faced imminent execution, have been repatriated, underscoring ongoing discussions about drug laws and human rights in Indonesia.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd043m905e1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss