Release Agreement Reached
Indonesia and France have finalized a deal to repatriate Serge Atlaoui, a French citizen who faced nearly 20 years on death row for alleged drug-related offenses. Atlaoui, who has steadfastly claimed his innocence, will return to France on February 4 following this agreement. His case has garnered significant attention, particularly after the recent repatriation of five Australian citizens sentenced for drug smuggling.
Background of the Case
Arrested in 2005 for supposedly working in a factory that produced the psychedelic drug MDMA, Atlaoui initially received a life sentence. However, Indonesia’s Supreme Court escalated his penalty to death in 2007. Currently battling cancer, he has consistently maintained that he was merely a welder at the site and was unaware of the drug production activities taking place there.
Formal Agreement Signed
Atlaoui’s request to serve his remaining sentence in France prompted discussions between the countries. The transfer agreement was signed remotely by Indonesia’s senior minister of law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and France’s Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin. France’s ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, expressed appreciation for the Indonesian government’s cooperation, emphasizing a desire to strengthen legal ties between the two nations.
Authority Transferred to France
Mahendra clarified that once Atlaoui is repatriated, the French government will take full responsibility for his treatment. He also noted that any decisions regarding clemency or a pardon by France will be respected, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the agreement.
Context of the Death Penalty in Indonesia
Atlaoui’s pending transfer comes in the wake of France’s long-standing opposition to the death penalty, abolished in the country since 1981. His situation gained urgency in light of Indonesia’s recent history of executing inmates on death row, with its last executions occurring in July 2016. Currently, around 530 individuals, including nearly 100 foreigners, remain on death row in Indonesia, primarily for drug-related crimes, while the nation continues to grapple with issues of drug trafficking driven by international syndicates targeting its vulnerable populations.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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