British grandma who’s been on death row for 12 years given major update

A British grandmother who has spent over a decade on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking has just received a major update in her case.

Back in May 2012, Lindsay Sandiford, who hails from Redcar, was arrested at Bali airport with £1.6 million worth of cocaine hidden in her luggage and she was later sentenced to death by firing squad in January 2013, despite prosecutors recommending a lesser sentence due to her cooperation and possibly being coerced.

The 69-year-old who had been on death row in Bali for 12 years at Kerobokan Prison, maintained that she was forced into trafficking by threats to her family.

However, Indonesia enforces extremely strict drug laws, where death by firing squad is the maximum penalty, and appeals have been consistently rejected since her conviction.

But, in the latest update, it's been reported that Sandiford is now being sent home to the UK after an agreement was signed today (21 October).

She is being repatriated under an agreement between the British and Indonesian governments.

Lindsay Sandiford was sentenced to death by firing squad in January 2013 after over £1 million worth of cocaine was found in her suitcase at Bali airport (SONNY TUMBELAKA / Stringer / Getty Images)

An Indonesian government source told AFP: "The practical arrangement will be signed today. The transfer will be done immediately after the technical side of the transfer is agreed."

Shahab Shahabadi, 35, will also be repatriated back to the UK, having been convicted on drugs charges back in 2014, according to the source.

Earlier this year, human rights barrister Felicity Gerry KC revealed there were discussions within the Indonesian government about abolishing the death penalty and making existing death sentences become long-term imprisonment instead.

Gerry explained that due to Sandiford's good behaviour of over a decade, her sentence could have been reduced to life imprisonment - something which opened up the possibility for her to be transferred back to the UK, where she might serve out a term or be released based on time already served.

Gerry urged the UK Foreign Office to take a more proactive role in negotiating Sandiford's return to her home country, highlighting the fact that she has already served more time than she likely would have under UK law.

Speaking to the Mirror back in December, she explained: "There is an apparent move by the Indonesian authorities to abolish the death penalty.

The 69-year-old maintained that she was forced into trafficking by threats to her family (SONNY TUMBELAKA / Stringer / Getty Images)

"So they're moving, in 2025, to implement a law that will commute death penalties into prison sentences.

"That law has not yet been enforced, but in the lead up, I think they are negotiating with more than one country about the return of people from overseas."

Gerry added: "Lindsay is someone who was compelled to commit a crime and she assisted the authorities so she helped identify those who were criminally responsible.

"So it seems to me she is the next person to be allowed to go home, this time to Britain. I think Indonesia is coming out of this well, recognising the modern world and moving forward.

"The real question is, what are the Foreign Office doing now in Britain? What are they doing?"

The human rights barrister resolved: "She's a British citizen who has served far more than she would serve in England and Wales whose position as a coerced defender has not been properly investigated as far as we can tell.

"We also know from previous reports she has suffered significant ill health which would be treated if she continued her imprisonment in England."

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