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French prisoner on death row in Indonesia returns home under humanitarian pact

by editor

Serge Atlaoui, a French national who has been on death row in Indonesia since 2007 for drug-related offenses, is set to return to France on Tuesday following a humanitarian agreement between the two countries. Atlaoui, aged 61, was arrested in 2005 when authorities discovered significant quantities of illicit drugs in a factory located in Jakarta, where he was purportedly employed as a “chemist.”

Extradition marks a significant turning point

On January 24, a decision was reached to extradite Atlaoui to France due to his serious health condition, specifically cancer, necessitating weekly medical treatment. His wife, Sabine Atlaoui, expressed profound relief and joy, stating,

“It’s a miracle. He survived 19 years of incarceration. He survived an execution.”

Atlaoui was transferred to French authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, departing for Paris on a commercial flight at 19:35 local time (12:35 GMT). Upon landing in France on Wednesday morning, he will be presented to prosecutors and is expected to be detained while awaiting further legal proceedings, according to his lawyer, Richard Sedillot.

Legal ramifications and future implications

In France, the most severe punishment for similar drug offenses is 30 years in prison. The Indonesian human rights minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, indicated that it would be up to the French authorities to decide on any potential clemency, amnesty, or reduction of Atlaoui’s sentence. Sedillot expressed his satisfaction with the extradition and stated,

“I will now work to ensure that the sentence is adapted to conditions which will allow his release.”

Although Atlaoui has consistently denied accusations of drug trafficking, claiming he was merely installing machinery in an acrylic factory, he acknowledged in a 2015 interview that he suspected illegal activities were happening at the site. Initially sentenced to life imprisonment, his sentence was later amended to death following an appeal in the Indonesian supreme court. Although his execution was scheduled for 2015, it was postponed due to interventions from the French government.

Upon his return, Atlaoui has expressed a desire to reunite with his family only when he is free, as his wife conveyed, stating,

“He wants to see his family again when he is free. Unfortunately, we do not know how long it will take.”

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