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Grandmother Escapes Bali Death Row After 13 Years

11/6/2025

29 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Lindsay Sandiford, a 69-year-old British grandmother, is set to return to the UK today after 13 years on Bali’s death row for smuggling £1.6 million of cocaine.
The release followed a bilateral UK–Indonesia agreement citing her health issues.
She will board a UK-funded flight from Denpasar International Airport, accompanied by Shahab Shahabadi, and the decision followed appeals from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

History

Historical Context

Indonesia's strict anti-drug laws have led to numerous executions, including high-profile cases like the Bali Nine in 2006. In 2013, British national Lindsay Sandiford was sentenced to death for drug trafficking, sparking international human rights debates. The Indonesian Constitutional Court upheld the death penalty for drug offenses in 2007, reflecting ongoing tensions between drug policy and human rights in Southeast Asia.

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Story summary

Lindsay Sandiford, a 69-year-old British grandmother, is set to return to the UK today after 13 years on Bali’s death row for smuggling £1.6 million of cocaine.
The release followed a bilateral UK–Indonesia agreement citing her health issues.
She will board a UK-funded flight from Denpasar International Airport, accompanied by Shahab Shahabadi, and the decision followed appeals from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

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