First Picture of Death Row Gran Lindsay Sandiford Back on British Soil
Lindsay Sandiford, 69, who was convicted of smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine into Bali 13 years ago, arrived at Heathrow's Terminal 4 on Friday. The British grandmother has spent over a decade on death row in Indonesia before returning to the UK.
Sandiford was seen in a wheelchair, wearing black leggings and a green cardigan, as she covered her face with her clothing upon arrival.
She left Indonesia early Friday after being spared execution, following a deal between Jakarta and London to repatriate her and another British prisoner on humanitarian grounds. The British government reportedly spent £600 on her return flight.
Handover at Kerobokan Prison
Before boarding the flight in Bali, Sandiford attended a handover ceremony at Kerobokan Prison. She departed alongside fellow British inmate Shabab Shahabadi, 35, who was serving a life sentence for drug offenses.
The two were driven to Denpasar International Airport, where they were expected to meet British Ambassador Dominic Jeremy before their flight.
Official Statement
"Lindsay Sandiford and Shahab Shahabadi have serious health conditions and are being repatriated on humanitarian grounds," said Matthew Downing, the UK's deputy ambassador to Indonesia.
Author’s summary: Lindsay Sandiford, a British grandmother sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug smuggling, was repatriated to the UK on humanitarian grounds after 13 years on death row.