First Picture of Death Row Gran Lindsay Sandiford Back on British Soil
Lindsay Sandiford, 69, was photographed arriving at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 after spending over a decade on death row in Indonesia. She was convicted 13 years ago for smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine into Bali.
Wearing black leggings and a green cardigan, Sandiford appeared in a wheelchair and partially covered her face. She returned to the UK on Friday after being spared execution through a humanitarian agreement between Jakarta and London.
Repatriation Details
Sandiford's flight ticket reportedly cost the British government £600. Before her departure from Bali, she was present at a handover ceremony at Kerobokan Prison.
She left the prison alongside Shabab Shahabadi, a 35-year-old British inmate serving a life sentence for drug offenses. Both were transported to Denpasar International Airport and were expected to meet British Ambassador Dominic Jeremy before their flight.
Official Statement
"Lindsay Sandiford and Shahab Shahabadi have serious health conditions and are being repatriated on humanitarian grounds." — Matthew Downing, UK Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia
Sandiford's return marks a rare case of repatriation from Indonesia's harsh death row conditions on health and humanitarian concerns.
Author's summary: Lindsay Sandiford, convicted for cocaine smuggling in Bali, was repatriated to the UK on humanitarian grounds after spending 13 years on death row, highlighting diplomatic efforts to protect vulnerable prisoners abroad.