Death Row Grandmother Lindsay Sandiford Returns to UK After 13 Years in Bali Prison
Lindsay Sandiford, a 69-year-old British grandmother, has returned to the UK following her release from death row in Bali, where she served 13 years for drug trafficking. She was freed under a repatriation agreement between the UK and Indonesia.
Sandiford arrived at Heathrow Airport this afternoon after a 20-hour journey from Bali via Dubai, reportedly on a government-paid ticket costing £600. Frail and covering her face, she was assisted in a wheelchair through the terminal to waiting transportation.
Background and Health Condition
Convicted of smuggling cocaine worth £1.6 million into Bali, Sandiford had faced execution by firing squad but described being granted a "second chance" to reunite with her family in the UK. Indonesian Minister Yusril Mahendra confirmed she is “seriously ill” and was examined by a British consulate doctor on the island.
Uncertainty Over Imprisonment Status in UK
The question remains whether Sandiford will serve more prison time in the UK. Indonesia’s deputy minister for immigration and correctional coordination, I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, stated:
“In England, she will remain in prison.”
However, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has yet to clarify her custody status upon return.
Summary
Lindsay Sandiford’s repatriation marks a significant development after more than a decade on death row, though her future legal status and health remain uncertain.
Would you like the summary to be more neutral or empathetic?