After more than ten years on death row, Lindsay Sandiford, a grandmother who was convicted of drug smuggling, is set to land in the UK but may face immediate imprisonment. The 69-year-old frail woman was seen in a wheelchair as she experienced freedom for the first time in 13 years upon leaving Bali’s Kerobokan jail. She wore a mask to conceal her face and was swiftly taken to Denpasar International Airport for a flight with Qatar Airways.
Sandiford’s release was made possible through a bilateral agreement between Keir Starmer and Indonesian authorities, funded by a £600 plane ticket from the UK. Despite her poor health condition, she is making the lengthy 20-hour journey back home.
This marks the conclusion of a distressing period in Sandiford’s life, during which she received a death sentence for smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine into Indonesia. The UK government has not confirmed if she will be immediately freed or detained upon arrival.
Sandiford, along with another British national, Shahab Shahabadi, was released from Kerobokan jail and transferred to the airport for their return journey to the UK. Sandiford’s return comes after years of negotiations, with Indonesian officials emphasizing the importance of international legal cooperation.
Sandiford’s deteriorating health, including diabetes and hypertension, necessitates medical attention upon her return. A source close to her mentioned her eagerness to reunite with her family after enduring over a decade in harsh prison conditions.
Originally relocating to India in 2012, Sandiford’s troubles began in Bali when she was caught with cocaine in her possession. Despite initially claiming coercion by a criminal gang, she later admitted to her involvement in drug transportation.
Throughout her time in prison, Sandiford faced challenges, including health issues and difficult living conditions. Her long-awaited return to the UK has been facilitated through collaborative efforts between the British and Indonesian governments.
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