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Indonesian authorities have released two British nationals imprisoned on drug charges, who are now returning to the United Kingdom as part of a repatriation agreement between the two countries.
Lindsay Sandiford, 69, and Shahab Shahabadi, 35, departed the tourist island of Bali early Friday morning on a flight to Doha, before continuing to London. Senior official Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed their departure to The Associated Press.
Sandiford had spent nearly 12 years on death row following her 2012 arrest, when authorities discovered 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine worth $2.5 million hidden in the lining of her suitcase upon arrival in Bali from Bangkok. During her trial, Sandiford claimed she was forced to carry the drugs by a gang that threatened her children. She was sentenced to death by firing squad in January 2013, a ruling that Indonesia’s highest court upheld seven months later.
The severity of Sandiford’s sentence shocked many, as prosecutors had not recommended the death penalty. Both the British government and anti-death penalty activists condemned the ruling. She has been detained at Kerobokan female prison on Bali throughout her incarceration.
Shahabadi, meanwhile, was serving a life sentence imposed in 2014 after being arrested in Jakarta during an investigation into an international drug trafficking network. Prosecutors alleged he sent 30 kilograms of methamphetamine powder in several shipments from Iran for distribution in Jakarta. He had been held at Nusa Kambangan prison island, often referred to as “the Alcatraz of Indonesia,” before being transferred to Bali ahead of his repatriation.
The bilateral agreement enabling their return was signed on October 21 by Mahendra and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper following months of negotiations. I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Correctional Coordination, highlighted the significance of the agreement.
“This process demonstrates Indonesia’s credibility in the international legal cooperation scheme,” Mataram said.
Health concerns were a major factor in the repatriation decision. Mahendra previously stated that both British nationals suffer from serious health problems. Mataram confirmed that Sandiford has diabetes and hypertension, while Shahabadi struggles with mental disorders.
Matthew Downing, the UK’s deputy ambassador to Indonesia, expressed gratitude to Indonesian authorities during a news conference at the prison compound.
“Lindsay Sandiford and Shahab Shahabadi have serious health conditions and are being repatriated on humanitarian grounds,” Downing said. He added that the British government was open to discussions about Indonesians imprisoned in the UK, though no such requests have been made.
The repatriation is part of a broader pattern under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, which has sent several foreign prisoners home under bilateral agreements with their countries. Recent transfers have included a Filipina facing the death penalty for drug offenses, five Australians convicted of heroin trafficking, and Serge Atlaoui, an ailing French national who spent almost 20 years on Indonesia’s death row.
Indonesia maintains some of the world’s strictest anti-drug laws. According to the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, approximately 530 people remain on death row in the country, mostly for drug-related crimes. Nearly 100 of these inmates are foreigners. Indonesia’s most recent executions took place in July 2016, when one citizen and three foreigners were put to death.
The repatriation agreement represents a significant diplomatic development between Indonesia and the United Kingdom, potentially setting a precedent for similar humanitarian transfers in the future. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between nations with differing approaches to drug offenses and capital punishment, with Indonesia maintaining some of the harshest penalties in the region while facing continued international pressure regarding its treatment of foreign nationals within its justice system.
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10 Comments
It’s good to see these two British nationals being repatriated, even if the circumstances of their imprisonment were quite troubling. Drug smuggling is a serious crime, but the death penalty and 12 years on death row seems incredibly harsh. Hopefully this case will prompt Indonesia to review its policies and treatment of foreign prisoners.
Agreed. The severity of the sentences, especially for Sandiford, is very concerning. While drug trafficking is a major issue, the punishment should fit the crime. Repatriation is the humane thing to do, but Indonesia needs to ensure a more fair and proportionate justice system, especially for foreign nationals.
This is an interesting case that highlights the complexities around drug crimes and the death penalty. While Indonesia has the right to enforce its laws, the severity of the sentences for these British nationals seems very disproportionate. I hope their repatriation leads to a broader review of Indonesia’s approach to foreign drug offenders.
Absolutely. The details of this case, with claims of coercion and shockingly long sentences, raise serious concerns about Indonesia’s justice system. Repatriation is the right call, but it’s critical that Indonesia examines its policies to ensure fairness and proportionality, especially for foreign nationals accused of drug crimes.
This is a complex issue with a lot of nuance. On one hand, drug trafficking is a serious crime that can have devastating impacts. But the death penalty and 12 years on death row for these British nationals seems incredibly harsh, especially given the alleged circumstances of their arrests. Repatriation is the humane solution, but it also raises questions about the fairness of Indonesia’s justice system.
Well said. While Indonesia has the sovereign right to enforce its laws, the treatment of these two British prisoners appears to have been extremely disproportionate. Repatriation is the right call, but it’s critical that Indonesia reviews its policies to ensure a more balanced, fair, and humane approach, especially for foreign drug offenders.
Interesting to see Indonesia repatriating these two British nationals serving drug sentences. It raises questions about the fairness of their trials and the severity of the sentences, especially the death penalty for Sandiford. I wonder what the broader context is here and if this sets any precedents for other foreign prisoners.
You raise a good point. The details around their arrests and convictions seem quite controversial, with claims of coercion and excessive sentences. Repatriation may be the most humane outcome, but it’s concerning if this highlights issues with Indonesia’s legal system for foreign drug offenders.
The repatriation of these two British nationals from Indonesia is an interesting development, but it also highlights some concerning issues around the country’s justice system and approach to drug crimes. The severity of the sentences, including the death penalty, seems incredibly harsh, especially given the alleged circumstances of their arrests. This case may prompt a broader review of Indonesia’s policies towards foreign drug offenders.
I agree, this case raises important questions about Indonesia’s justice system and its treatment of foreign nationals accused of drug crimes. While combating drug trafficking is a legitimate priority, the punishment should fit the crime. The repatriation of these British prisoners is the right call, but it also underscores the need for Indonesia to ensure greater fairness and proportionality in its approach.