Frail drug courier Lindsay Sandiford received a last-minute reprieve from facing death in Bali following an intervention by Keir Starmer over concerns for her health. Sandiford, a 69-year-old legal secretary sentenced to death in 2013 for smuggling £1.6m worth of cocaine, is set to return to the UK soon after spending 12 years awaiting execution in Indonesia’s Kerobokan prison. Indonesian officials have agreed to her transfer back home, citing her “serious illness” confirmed by UK doctors. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper personally urged Indonesian authorities for Sandiford’s repatriation.
A potential meeting to finalize her release is expected imminently, with plans for her handover to UK authorities at the airport. This development signifies the end of Sandiford’s ordeal, who has longed to return home, and marks a significant diplomatic advancement with Indonesia. The deal includes a reciprocal agreement for the UK to consider repatriation requests for Indonesian prisoners serving sentences in the UK.
Indonesia’s senior law and human rights minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, disclosed Sandiford’s deteriorating health condition, stating she is “seriously ill.” The transfer agreement, signed in Jakarta, includes Shahab Shahabadi, a 35-year-old serving a life sentence for drug offenses. Sandiford, previously residing in India, was arrested in Bali in 2012 for smuggling cocaine from Thailand.
While initially claiming coercion by a criminal gang, Sandiford later confessed her involvement in drug trafficking, implicating others. Despite appeals based on coercion and mental health issues, she was found guilty and sentenced to death. Renowned human rights barrister Dr. Felicity Gerry KC, advocating for Sandiford’s release, emphasized the necessity for her prompt release upon return to the UK.
Sandiford’s lengthy incarceration, including time on death row, has taken a toll on her mental and physical well-being. Her potential repatriation comes amidst Indonesia’s relaxed enforcement of drug laws and a halt in executions since 2016. Sandiford’s endurance in prison, where she earned the nickname “Grandmother,” and her struggles with arthritis in cramped conditions have garnered widespread attention. The UK government, in collaboration with Indonesian authorities, is facilitating the return of British nationals detained in Indonesia.