Serge Atlaoui has exited Indonesian prison after 19 years, heading back to France as part of a deal focusing on his health condition, prior to potentially facing legal proceedings there.
French National Serge Atlaoui Leaves Indonesian Death Row for Home
French National Serge Atlaoui Leaves Indonesian Death Row for Home
Agreement between France and Indonesia allows Atlaoui to return due to humanitarian reasons.
In a significant turnaround, Serge Atlaoui, a 61-year-old French national who has spent 19 years on death row in Indonesia for drug-related offenses, has been released from prison and is set to return to France. This move comes as part of a humanitarian agreement established on January 24 between Indonesia and France, mainly prompted by Atlaoui’s health issues, particularly his battle with cancer, which has required regular medical treatment.
Atlaoui was originally apprehended in 2005 at a factory in Jakarta accused of being a "chemist" for a drug operation, where authorities discovered large quantities of drugs. Sabine Atlaoui, his wife, expressed immense relief, stating that her husband has endured near-execution and lengthy incarceration.
Before boarding a flight to Paris, Atlaoui will hand over to French law enforcement authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Once back in France, he may face prosecution and will likely be detained while awaiting a judicial decision. Atlaoui has reportedly expressed a desire to avoid meeting family at the airport, wishing to reunite under better circumstances outside of confinement.
While the Indonesian legal system imposes severe penalties for drug offenses, including the death sentence, in France, those found guilty of similar crimes face a maximum sentence of 30 years. Decisions about potential clemency, amnesty, or sentence reductions will ultimately rest with French authorities.
Atlaoui, who has persistently denied any involvement in drug trafficking, explained he had merely been involved in machinery installation at an acrylic factory, suspecting illicit activities were occurring there. His life sentence was initially converted to death following an appeal to the Indonesian supreme court, with a scheduled execution in 2015 postponed due to international intervention.
As Indonesia continues to release high-profile inmates imprisoned under its stringent drug laws, Atlaoui’s case adds to a growing list of foreign nationals, such as Mary Jane Veloso, who have recently returned home after lengthy detentions. Currently, Indonesia has around 90 foreign prisoners remaining on death row, including one woman, highlighting ongoing debates over the country's harsh drug policies.
Atlaoui was originally apprehended in 2005 at a factory in Jakarta accused of being a "chemist" for a drug operation, where authorities discovered large quantities of drugs. Sabine Atlaoui, his wife, expressed immense relief, stating that her husband has endured near-execution and lengthy incarceration.
Before boarding a flight to Paris, Atlaoui will hand over to French law enforcement authorities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Once back in France, he may face prosecution and will likely be detained while awaiting a judicial decision. Atlaoui has reportedly expressed a desire to avoid meeting family at the airport, wishing to reunite under better circumstances outside of confinement.
While the Indonesian legal system imposes severe penalties for drug offenses, including the death sentence, in France, those found guilty of similar crimes face a maximum sentence of 30 years. Decisions about potential clemency, amnesty, or sentence reductions will ultimately rest with French authorities.
Atlaoui, who has persistently denied any involvement in drug trafficking, explained he had merely been involved in machinery installation at an acrylic factory, suspecting illicit activities were occurring there. His life sentence was initially converted to death following an appeal to the Indonesian supreme court, with a scheduled execution in 2015 postponed due to international intervention.
As Indonesia continues to release high-profile inmates imprisoned under its stringent drug laws, Atlaoui’s case adds to a growing list of foreign nationals, such as Mary Jane Veloso, who have recently returned home after lengthy detentions. Currently, Indonesia has around 90 foreign prisoners remaining on death row, including one woman, highlighting ongoing debates over the country's harsh drug policies.
