Death Row Grandmother Lindsay Sandiford Returns to UK After 13 Years in Bali Prison
Lindsay Sandiford, a 69-year-old British grandmother, has returned to the UK after spending 13 years in a Bali prison on death row for drug trafficking. She was freed as part of a repatriation agreement between the UK and Indonesia.
Sandiford was convicted of smuggling a £1.6 million cargo of cocaine into Bali. Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, she appeared frail and was escorted in a wheelchair through the terminal. Her return followed a 20-hour flight from Bali via Dubai, with a government-paid ticket costing around £600.
"She has previously spoken of being allowed a ‘second chance’ at life with her family in the UK after spending 12 years facing execution in Bali for drug smuggling."
Indonesian minister Yusril Mahendra stated that Sandiford is "seriously ill" and has been examined by a doctor from the British consulate in Bali. It remains unclear whether she will serve more prison time in the UK.
"In England, she will remain in prison," said I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, Indonesia’s deputy minister for immigration and correctional coordination.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not confirmed if Sandiford will be incarcerated upon her return.
Despite her frail condition and past death sentence fears, Sandiford now faces an uncertain future back home.
Summary: Lindsay Sandiford, after 13 years on death row in Bali for drug trafficking, has been repatriated to the UK but may still face imprisonment despite her serious illness and government-arranged return.