UK Grandmother on Indonesia Death Row Arrives Back in London
Two British nationals convicted of drug offences, including a grandmother who spent over ten years on death row in Indonesia, have returned to the United Kingdom. The pair arrived on Friday, marking the end of a long legal ordeal.
Release and Return
Indonesia, known for its strict drug laws, has recently freed several high-profile prisoners. Among them was 69-year-old Lindsay Sandiford, sentenced to death in 2013 for smuggling $2.14 million worth of cocaine into Bali. She was released on humanitarian grounds.
Also freed was 36-year-old Shahab Shahabadi, who had been serving a life sentence since his 2014 arrest for drug-related offences. Both departed Bali on a Qatar Airways flight to London via Doha, confirmed an Indonesian law and human rights ministry official.
Arrival in London
Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, Sandiford was seen leaving in a wheelchair, escorted by security staff and concealing her face with her jacket, according to AFP correspondents.
“Two British nationals who were detained in Indonesia have now returned to the UK,”
stated a spokesperson from the British Foreign Office.
Official Statement in Indonesia
“Their detention will be moved to the United Kingdom,”
said I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, an Indonesian official, during a handover ceremony at Bali’s Kerobokan prison on Thursday.
Author’s Summary
After years under Indonesia’s severe drug laws, Lindsay Sandiford and Shahab Shahabadi returned to the UK following their release on humanitarian grounds.