UK Grandmother on Indonesia Death Row Returns to London
Two British nationals convicted of drug offenses, including a grandmother who spent over a decade on Indonesia's death row, have returned to the UK.
Background and Release Details
Indonesia, known for having some of the strictest drug laws globally, has recently released several high-profile prisoners. Among them was Lindsay Sandiford, 69, who was sentenced to death in 2013 on Bali for smuggling cocaine worth $2.14 million into the country.
She was freed on humanitarian grounds alongside Shahab Shahabadi, 36, who had been serving a life sentence for drug offenses since his 2014 arrest.
Return Journey
Both individuals departed from Bali on a Qatar Airways flight to London via Doha. Their repatriation was confirmed by an official from Indonesia's law and human rights ministry.
“Two British nationals who were detained in Indonesia have now returned to the UK,” said a British Foreign Office spokesperson.
Upon arrival at Heathrow's Terminal 4, Sandiford was seen in a wheelchair, accompanied by security staff, covering her face and remaining silent.
Indonesian Statement
The Indonesian official I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram stated during a ceremony at Bali's Kerobokan jail: “The pair’s detention will be moved to the United Kingdom” under the agreement.
This marks a significant move in Indonesia's approach to foreign prisoners convicted of drug-related crimes.
Author's summary: Two British drug convicts, including a grandmother sentenced to death in Indonesia, were released on humanitarian grounds and returned to the UK under a transfer deal.