French national Serge Atlaoui, who has spent nearly two decades on death row in Indonesia, is set to return home after the Indonesian government agreed to his transfer due to humanitarian grounds.
Serge Atlaoui, a French national who has been on death row in an Indonesian prison for nearly two decades, is set to return home after the Indonesian government agreed to his transfer. The decision was made on humanitarian grounds due to Atlaoui‘s poor health.
Serge Atlaoui is a French citizen who was arrested in Thailand in 2002 for attempting to smuggle over 800 kilograms of ephedrine into Cambodia.
Born on June 13, 1955, in Algeria, he was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
His case drew international attention due to the severity of his sentence and allegations of torture during interrogation.
Atlaoui's story raises questions about human rights and the fairness of justice systems worldwide.
Background of the Case
Atlaoui was sentenced to death in 2007 for alleged drug-related offenses. However, he has maintained his innocence throughout his 19-year ordeal. His lawyers claim that he worked as a welder at the factory where the alleged crimes took place and had no knowledge of the chemicals involved.
Agreement and Transfer
Last December, Atlaoui made a plea to the Indonesian government to be returned home, requesting that the rest of his sentence be served in France. On January 24, Jakarta and Paris agreed to his transfer, with Jakarta citing humanitarian grounds due to Atlaoui‘s illness. He has been receiving hospital medical treatment on a weekly basis.
Return to France
Atlaoui was escorted from Salemba prison in Jakarta to the city’s main airport on Tuesday, where he will board a commercial flight bound for Paris. Once in France, he will be presented to prosecutors and most likely detained while awaiting a decision on the adaptation of his sentence.
Indonesia’s Strict Drug Laws
Indonesia is notorious for its harsh drug laws, which are among the toughest worldwide. However, in recent times, foreign prisoners have been transferred back to their countries. Jakarta is considering new rules on prison transfers and amnesty in an attempt to ease congestion in overcrowded prisons.
Recent Developments
In December, Indonesia transferred home the five remaining members of the ‘Bali Nine‘ drug ring to serve their sentences in Australia, at Canberra’s request. Additionally, Filipino inmate Mary Jane Veloso was reunited with her family after nearly 15 years on death row. She had been arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 for carrying heroin into Indonesia.
Mary Jane Veloso is a Filipino migrant worker sentenced to death in Indonesia for her alleged involvement in a heroin trafficking ring.
Born on September 12, 1985, in the Philippines, she was convicted in 2010 after being caught with 2.6 kilograms of heroin at Yogyakarta's 'Adisucipto International Airport'.
The case has sparked controversy and debate over the death penalty, with many calling for clemency due to allegations of coercion and poor representation during her trial.
