British grandmother jailed in Indonesia for drug smuggling to return to UK

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British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford, who has been on death row in Indonesia for over a decade for drug smuggling, will be returning to the UK following an agreement between the Indonesian and British governments. The 69-year-old was sentenced to death in Bali in 2013 after cocaine valued at £1.6m was discovered in her suitcase upon her arrival from Thailand in 2012. Despite admitting to the crimes, Sandiford claimed she was coerced by a drug syndicate threatening her son’s life.

The Indonesian government announced the decision on Tuesday, confirming Sandiford’s imminent return to the UK along with another British national, Shahab Shahabadi. A Foreign Office spokesperson mentioned that they are working closely with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the two detainees. Sandiford, a resident of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, had previously faced the possibility of execution by firing squad during her confinement in Indonesia.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s minister for law and human rights, divulged the signing of an agreement with British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper for the transfer of both British prisoners. Sandiford and Shahabadi, who had been serving a life sentence for drug smuggling, have been suffering from various health issues, according to Mr. Yusril. The technicalities of the transfer are currently being finalized and are expected to be completed in approximately two weeks.

Criminologist Jennifer Fleetwood, who was involved in Sandiford’s initial appeal 12 years ago, expressed relief at the news of the grandmother’s return to the UK. She highlighted the challenges faced by individuals serving sentences abroad, including limited contact with family, language barriers, and potential human rights violations. Fleetwood emphasized the difficulties Sandiford endured over the past 12 years and the harsh nature of the punishment she endured

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