Death Row Grandmother Lindsay Sandiford Returns to UK After 13 Years in Bali Prison
Lindsay Sandiford, a British grandmother who spent 13 years on death row in Bali for drug trafficking, has finally arrived back in the UK. She was released under a repatriation agreement between the UK and Indonesia along with another British national.
Return Journey and Health Condition
Sandiford, 69, arrived at Heathrow Airport after a 20-hour flight from Bali via Dubai, traveling on a government-funded ticket reportedly costing £600. Appearing frail and covering her face, she was assisted in a wheelchair through the airport to waiting transport.
Conviction and Time on Death Row
She was convicted for smuggling cocaine worth £1.6 million into Bali. For 12 years, she faced the possibility of execution by firing squad. Sandiford has described her release as a “second chance” to reunite with her family in the UK.
Health Concerns and Legal Status
According to Indonesian minister Yusril Mahendra, Sandiford is “seriously ill” and has undergone medical examinations by a British consulate doctor on the island.
“In England, she will remain in prison,” stated I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, Indonesia’s deputy minister for immigration and correctional coordination.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not yet clarified whether Sandiford will serve additional prison time upon returning home.
Summary
Lindsay Sandiford’s release marks the end of a 13-year ordeal on death row, but her future freedom remains uncertain amid health struggles and unclear legal proceedings in the UK.