Indonesia to Repatriate French National After 20 Years on Death Row

Indonesia has agreed to repatriate French national Serge Atlaoui, who spent 20 years on death row for drug offenses. This decision comes after recent exchanges involving foreign prisoners and reflects a new legal cooperation agreement between Indonesia and France. Atlaoui maintains his innocence and is set to return to France on February 4, following a request to serve the remainder of his sentence there.

Indonesia has signed a repatriation agreement with France to send Serge Atlaoui back to his home country after he spent 20 years on death row. Atlaoui, convicted of drug offenses, has awaited this resolution since 2007. He is scheduled to return to France on February 4. The deal follows the recent repatriation of five Australians who had been imprisoned for similar drug-related crimes.

Atlaoui was arrested in 2005 for his alleged role as a chemist in a factory producing MDMA near Jakarta. Throughout his 19-year incarceration, he has consistently asserted his innocence, claiming he worked as a welder without knowledge of the factory’s operations. His sentence was initially life imprisonment, which was escalated to death by Indonesia’s Supreme Court in 2007 after an appeal.

In recent correspondence, Atlaoui requested to serve the remainder of his sentence in France, where he could face a maximum of 30 years for serious crimes. Both Indonesia’s senior minister of law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and France’s minister of justice, Gérald Darmanin, finalized the transfer agreement remotely, signifying a collaborative effort between the two nations.

France’s ambassador to Indonesia expressed gratitude towards the Indonesian government for facilitating this arrangement, emphasizing the importance of enhancing legal cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations. Mahendra remarked that following Atlaoui’s repatriation, responsibility for his treatment will fall under the jurisdiction of the French government, should they choose to grant him clemency.

Atlaoui’s situation has resonated within France, a country that abolished capital punishment in 1981 and avows its opposition to the death penalty universally. His case gained international attention, particularly when he was granted a stay of execution during the mass executions carried out by Indonesia in 2015, although his appeal was later rejected.

The news arrives shortly after the release of five members of the Bali Nine drug syndicate, marking a period of increased attention towards drug-related convictions in Indonesia. Currently, a significant number of individuals, including many foreigners, remain on death row in Indonesia, which has been identified by the United Nations as a significant center for drug trafficking despite strict laws against such offenses.

The repatriation of Serge Atlaoui underscores the ongoing legal dialogue between Indonesia and France, particularly regarding the treatment and rights of individuals facing severe penalties. Atlaoui’s case highlights the complex international relations surrounding drug offenses and capital punishment, with both nations pledging to develop their legal cooperation. As Indonesia continues to deal with a substantial number of individuals on death row, the international community watches closely as policies and practices evolve.

Original Source: www.euronews.com