A British legal representative advocating for the release of Lindsay Sandiford from death row in Indonesia has stated that Sandiford should be granted immediate freedom upon her return to the UK. Dr. Felicity Gerry KC, who met with Sandiford in Bali in 2015, has been persistent in urging the UK government to facilitate Sandiford’s repatriation. Sandiford, aged 69, has reportedly evaded the death penalty after spending 12 years incarcerated in Bali’s Kerobokan prison for smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine into the country.
Recent reports suggest that Sandiford is set to be transferred back to the UK, prompting Dr. Gerry to emphasize that Sandiford has served her sentence and should be released promptly. Under UK law, British prisoners can be returned home to serve the remainder of their sentence through bilateral agreements between nations. While it is likely that Sandiford would have to complete her prison term upon returning to the UK, Dr. Gerry argues that the 12-year sentence in Bali should equate to 24 years in the UK, warranting her immediate release.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Gerry expressed her elation over the progress in Sandiford’s case, highlighting the significant time Sandiford spent under the constant threat of execution. Dr. Gerry underscored that Sandiford had cooperated with investigators and should not have endured such prolonged custody. She commended the international collaboration efforts leading to Sandiford’s repatriation and urged for her swift release upon arrival in the UK.
Sandiford’s reprieve comes amidst a relaxation of stringent drug laws in Indonesia, resulting in the release of other drug traffickers serving similar sentences. Foreign Office representatives have reportedly been actively advocating for Sandiford’s release and visiting her in prison. Dr. Gerry lamented the delay in Sandiford’s repatriation, emphasizing that she has already served a considerable term and deserves immediate release.
Reflecting on Sandiford’s incarceration, Dr. Gerry expressed concerns about the harsh prison conditions, particularly for women, and anticipated that Sandiford might require psychological support upon her return due to the profound impact of living under the constant threat of death.
Sandiford was initially sentenced to death in Bali after being apprehended at Denpasar Airport with approximately 4.7kg of cocaine in her possession. Despite no prior criminal record, Sandiford received a death sentence for her involvement in smuggling cocaine from Thailand to Bali, claiming coercion by a UK-based drug syndicate. In response to the severe sentencing, the British embassy in Indonesia condemned the decision, reiterating the UK’s firm opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.