A prominent British lawyer advocating for the release of Lindsay Sandiford from death row in Bali has insisted that Sandiford should be immediately freed upon her return to the UK.
Dr. Felicity Gerry KC, who has been actively supporting Sandiford’s case since visiting her in Bali in 2015, has been instrumental in urging the UK government to facilitate Sandiford’s repatriation. Sandiford, aged 69, managed to evade execution by firing squad after spending 12 years in Bali’s Kerobokan prison for smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine into the country.
Reports suggest that Sandiford is set to be transferred back to the UK, prompting Dr. Gerry to assert that Sandiford has completed her sentence and should be granted immediate release upon arrival.
According to UK regulations, British inmates can be brought back to the UK to serve the remainder of their sentence under bilateral agreements between countries. As the death penalty is not applicable in the UK, Sandiford may need to fulfill the remaining prison term upon repatriation.
Nevertheless, Dr. Gerry contends that Sandiford’s 12-year incarceration, equivalent to 24 years in the UK where prisoners are typically released halfway through their term, should warrant her immediate release.
In an exclusive statement, Dr. Gerry expressed her delight at the progress in Sandiford’s case, emphasizing the need for swift action to secure Sandiford’s freedom upon her return to the UK.
Sandiford’s reprieve comes following a relaxation of stringent drug laws in Indonesia, leading to the release of other convicts serving similar sentences. Foreign Office representatives have been actively engaged in securing Sandiford’s release and have visited her regularly in prison.
Dr. Gerry lamented the delayed repatriation, highlighting that Sandiford’s case does not align with life sentences typically imposed for drug trafficking in the UK. Stressing that Sandiford has already served the equivalent of 24 years, Dr. Gerry advocates for her immediate release.
Reflecting on Sandiford’s prison ordeal, Dr. Gerry underscored the harsh conditions faced by women in prison and the mental toll of living under constant threat of death. She anticipates that Sandiford may require psychological support to cope with the profound impact of her traumatic experience.
Sandiford’s legal troubles began when she was apprehended at Denpasar Airport in Bali with approximately 4.7kg of cocaine in her luggage. Despite no prior criminal record, Sandiford received a death sentence after asserting that a UK-based drug ring coerced her into smuggling drugs from Thailand to Bali, threatening harm to her family if she refused.
The British embassy in Indonesia strongly condemned the imposition of the death penalty on Sandiford, emphasizing the UK’s firm opposition to capital punishment under all circumstances.