Death Row Grandmother Lindsay Sandiford Returning to UK
Lindsay Sandiford, a 69-year-old British grandmother who was freed from death row in Bali, is reportedly returning to the UK today after 13 years in prison. She and another British national are being repatriated under an agreement with Indonesia.
Repatriation Details
Sandiford is expected to leave Bali this afternoon on a 20-hour flight with a brief layover before arriving at Heathrow Airport in England. Her release comes after spending over a decade facing execution for drug smuggling charges.
Health and Support
According to Yusril Ihza Mahendra, an Indonesian senior minister for legal affairs, Sandiford is "seriously ill" and has been examined by a doctor from the British consulate on the island.
Rev. Christie Buckingham, a pastor from Bayside Church in Melbourne who has supported Sandiford's case, is currently in Indonesia and shared her thoughts with Metro:
“We are deeply grateful for the courageous compassion shown by President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government in their commitment to repatriate Lindsay Sandiford on humanitarian grounds. After 13 years, she is keen to be back home with her family. She will forever be grateful for this second chance.”
Sandiford's Perspective
Through a pastor who has supported her, Sandiford expressed her gratitude for being given a “second chance” to reunite with her family in England after many years in incarceration.
Author’s summary: Lindsay Sandiford's humanitarian repatriation marks a significant moment as she returns to the UK after 13 years on death row in Bali, highlighting compassion in international justice.