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British Grandmother Freed After 12 Years on Indonesia's Death Row
A 69-year-old British grandmother, Lindsay Sandiford, returned to the UK on Friday after spending over a decade on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, following a bilateral repatriation agreement between London and Jakarta.
Conviction and Sentence
Sandiford was arrested in 2012 upon arrival in Bali from Thailand with nearly 5kg of cocaine, valued at approximately £1.6 million ($2.1 million). An Indonesian court sentenced her to death in 2013 under the country's strict anti-narcotics laws, which impose severe penalties, including capital punishment, for drug-related offenses.
During her trial, Sandiford admitted to transporting the drugs but claimed she had been coerced by a criminal syndicate that threatened to kill her son if she refused. Despite her plea, the sentence was upheld.
Repatriation on Humanitarian Grounds
Sandiford was repatriated alongside Shahab Shahabadi, another British national serving a life sentence for drug smuggling. Their flight departed Bali at 00:30 local time (16:30 GMT Thursday), according to Indonesian officials. Both individuals had been reported to suffer from significant health issues during their incarceration.
Indonesia's Law and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated last month that Sandiford was "seriously ill," while Shahabadi faced "various serious illnesses, including mental health problems," as reported by AFP. Hours before her departure, Sandiford appeared at a press conference in a Bali prison in a wheelchair.
"We welcome their return on humanitarian grounds. They will receive necessary medical treatment and remain subject to UK laws and procedures."
Matthew Downing, UK's Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia
Broader Context: Indonesia's Drug Policy Shifts
Indonesia has long enforced some of the world's harshest drug laws, but recent months have seen a series of high-profile repatriations. In December 2024, the country released the five surviving members of the notorious "Bali Nine" drug-smuggling ring after nearly two decades in prison. The ring's two ringleaders were executed by firing squad in 2015.
That same month, Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina mother of two, was repatriated to the Philippines. Veloso, who narrowly avoided execution, had consistently maintained her innocence, alleging she was deceived into carrying drugs.
Next Steps for Sandiford and Shahabadi
Upon arrival in the UK, both individuals will undergo medical evaluation and treatment. British authorities have not disclosed further details about their legal status or potential restrictions, though Downing emphasized they would be "governed by the law and procedures of the UK."
