Post by : Rameen Ariff

Indonesia has signed an agreement to repatriate two British nationals, including Lindsay Sandiford, a grandmother on death row for more than a decade for drug trafficking, Indonesian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid growing international attention on Indonesia’s strict drug laws and its selective repatriation of high-profile foreign inmates.

Sandiford, in her late 60s, was sentenced to death in 2013 after authorities discovered cocaine worth an estimated $2.14 million hidden in her suitcase at Bali airport. The British grandmother admitted to carrying the narcotics but claimed she had been coerced by a drug syndicate that threatened her son. Despite losing her appeal, the Indonesian government has now agreed to her transfer to the UK, citing serious health concerns.

Indonesian law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the deal, signed with British foreign minister Yvette Cooper, includes Sandiford and Shahab Shahabadi, a 35-year-old serving a life sentence for drug offences. Both inmates suffer from severe health issues, with Sandiford described as seriously ill and Shahabadi facing both physical and mental health problems.

Indonesia, known for having some of the world’s toughest drug laws, has in the past year repatriated several high-profile inmates. This includes the last five members of the notorious “Bali Nine” drug ring and Filipina mother Mary Jane Veloso. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has emphasized that transfers are handled on a case-by-case basis, often citing humanitarian or health reasons.

Sandiford’s case first drew attention in the UK when she wrote about her fear of execution and detailed her plans to sing “Magic Moments” by Perry Como if executed. The grandmother formed a friendship with Australian drug convict Andrew Chan, who was executed in 2016, highlighting the personal toll of Indonesia’s harsh drug enforcement policies.

The repatriation process is expected to take about two weeks, as technical details are finalized. Indonesia’s prison system, including Bali’s overcrowded Kerobokan prison, remains one of the most notorious for death row inmates. Currently, more than 90 foreigners are on Indonesia’s death row, all convicted of drug-related offences.

The international community continues to monitor Indonesia’s drug enforcement policies, balancing strict legal frameworks with humanitarian considerations. Sandiford’s transfer underscores Indonesia’s evolving approach, demonstrating that, in exceptional cases, compassion and international cooperation can influence the fate of death row inmates.

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