A grandmother who spent over a decade on death row in Indonesia is set to return to the UK following 12 years of imprisonment. Lindsay Sandiford, a former legal secretary from Redcar, North East England, was sentenced to death in 2013 after authorities discovered cocaine valued at $2.14 million hidden in her luggage when she arrived from Thailand the previous year.
Under an agreement signed by the Indonesian government, Sandiford, along with another Briton named Shahab Shahabadi, will be repatriated to the UK. An Indonesian official confirmed the arrangement, stating that the transfer would take place once the technical details are finalized.
Indonesia typically uses a firing squad for executions, where convicts are given the choice to sit or stand before a group of armed soldiers who aim at their heart. If the initial volley of bullets does not result in death, a commanding officer delivers a fatal shot to the head.
Executions in Indonesia are rare, with most inmates spending more than a decade on death row. The last executions occurred in 2015, and currently, 130 individuals, including Sandiford, are awaiting their fate.
Sandiford’s legal troubles began in 2012 when she was arrested in Bali for carrying a significant amount of cocaine in her luggage. Initially claiming she was coerced by a criminal gang, she later admitted involvement when faced with the death penalty consequences. Despite appeals and arguments of coercion and mental health issues, she was ultimately sentenced to death.
Recently, Indonesia has relaxed its strict drug laws, leading to the release of certain inmates, including Sandiford, who had exhibited good behavior during her lengthy incarceration. Reports suggest that she has already started giving away her belongings in anticipation of her potential release.
The move to repatriate Sandiford is in line with Indonesia’s recent actions to return high-profile drug offenders to their respective home countries. This includes the repatriation of Serge Atlaoui to France and the release of Mary Jane Veloso and members of the Bali Nine group.