British Grandmother Returns Home After Bali Death Row

After over a decade facing execution in Indonesia, 69-year-old British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford has returned to the United Kingdom. Her repatriation on November 7, 2025, closes one of the most notable international drug smuggling cases involving a British citizen.

Sandiford's journey from Bali's infamous Kerobokan Prison to London Heathrow represents not only her survival but also years of diplomatic efforts, legal challenges, and evolving views on humanitarian support for foreign inmates.

The Arrest and Trial

In May 2012, Sandiford arrived at Bali’s Denpasar airport from Bangkok. Customs officials, tipped off, found nearly 5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the lining of her suitcase, valued at approximately £1.6 million ($2.1 million).

She was promptly arrested and, after a high-profile trial, sentenced in 2013 to death by firing squad under Indonesia’s stringent anti-drug laws.

Public Reaction and Media Coverage

The case captured the attention of the British public, with media outlets reporting extensively on her harsh sentence and the severe prison conditions she endured.

According to BBC News, "she was swiftly arrested and, after a widely publicized trial, sentenced to death by firing squad in 2013 under Indonesia’s harsh anti-drug laws."

Summary

Lindsay Sandiford’s case highlights the complexity of international drug law enforcement and the human impact of diplomatic and legal negotiations involving foreign prisoners.

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Evrim Ağacı — 2025-11-07