A British woman who endured 12 years on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking has flown back to the UK as part of a diplomatic agreement between the UK and Indonesian governments. Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, was sentenced to death in 2013 after customs officials found her carrying nearly 5kg of cocaine, valued at approximately £1.6m ($2.1m), upon her arrival in Bali from Thailand in 2012.
Repatriation amid health concerns
Indonesia is known for its severe drug laws, yet it has recently released several high-profile prisoners, including members of the notorious “Bali Nine” drug syndicate. Sandiford’s repatriation coincided with that of another British citizen, Shahab Shahabadi, who had been serving a life sentence for drug smuggling.
The two left Bali on a flight that departed around 00:30 local time (16:30 GMT Thursday), according to Indonesian officials. Both Sandiford and Shahabadi were reportedly facing significant health issues during their incarceration. Last month, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s senior law and human rights minister, indicated that Sandiford was “seriously ill,” while Shahabadi was dealing with “various serious illnesses, including mental health issues,” as reported by AFP news agency.
Background of Sandiford’s case
Just hours before her departure, Sandiford appeared at a press conference in Bali prison, using a wheelchair. In her 2013 confession, she explained that she only agreed to transport the cocaine under duress from a drug syndicate that threatened her son’s life. The UK’s Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Matthew Downing, stated that the repatriation was carried out on “humanitarian grounds,” assuring that both individuals would receive the required medical treatment while adhering to UK laws and procedures upon their return.
In December 2024, Indonesia had previously repatriated the last five members of the “Bali Nine,” all of whom had spent nearly 20 years in Indonesian prisons. The two leaders of this drug ring were executed by firing squad in 2015. Additionally, in December, Filipina Mary Jane Veloso was sent back to the Philippines after narrowly avoiding execution, always maintaining her claim that she had been deceived into carrying the drugs found in her possession.