Bali Drug Smuggling: British Grandmother's Death Sentence Lifted

International Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-11-06 21:51:39 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 17:13:25

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In a dramatic turn of events, 69-year-old Lindsay Sandiford, a British national, will soon be leaving Bali, heading home to the UK, after initially facing a death sentence for drug trafficking. This unexpected development comes after negotiations between the UK and Indonesian authorities, offering a glimmer of hope to the dozens of foreigners on death row in Indonesia for drug-related offenses.

Sandiford's story began in 2013 when she was arrested at Bali's airport with cocaine valued at approximately 1.6 million. Despite admitting to the crime, she claimed her son's life was threatened, leading to her actions. Shockingly, the court sentenced her to death by firing squad, a decision upheld by Indonesia's highest court, despite prosecutors not seeking capital punishment. This sparked international outrage, with the British government and anti-death penalty advocates condemning the ruling.

However, in a recent agreement signed by Indonesian minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Sandiford's sentence was commuted. She will be accompanied by another prisoner, 35-year-old Shahab Shahabadi, who was serving a life sentence for his role in an international drug trafficking network. Both prisoners had reportedly been suffering from serious health issues.

This move is part of a broader trend under President Prabowo Subianto, who has been granting clemency to thousands of inmates, including foreigners, as a gesture of unity. The Indonesian government's decision to repatriate these prisoners highlights a potential shift in their approach to international drug trafficking cases, offering a glimmer of hope to those facing similar situations.

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