Drug Mule Lindsay Sandiford Faces Possible Return to Prison
The 69-year-old grandmother was recently seen in a wheelchair as she departed Kerobokan Prison, where she served time for smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine. Indonesian officials have indicated that upon her return to Britain after 12 years on death row for drug offences, Lindsay Sandiford might be sent directly back to prison.
Sandiford was photographed leaving Kerobokan Prison alongside another British inmate, 35-year-old Shahab Shahabadi, who was serving a life sentence for drug-related crimes. Both were briefly shown to the local media before being handed over to British diplomats at the airport for repatriation.
"In England, she will remain in prison." — I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, Indonesia's deputy minister for immigration and correctional coordination
Wearing a face mask and avoiding photographers, Sandiford was taken to Denpasar International Airport and boarded a Qatar Airways flight to London via Doha. This is the same airport where, in 2012, she was publicly displayed in orange prison clothing beside a table of seized cocaine.
Transport and Custody Details
- Sandiford left the prison shortly after 2pm GMT.
- She was accompanied by Shahab Shahabadi, another British prisoner.
- Both were transferred to British diplomatic custody before flight.
- Flight route: Denpasar to London via Doha on Qatar Airways.
Official Responses
Britain’s Foreign Office has not yet confirmed or denied the statement made by the Indonesian deputy minister regarding Sandiford’s future imprisonment status in the UK.
Background Incident
Sandiford’s arrest and imprisonment followed her 2012 public display at Denpasar airport, where she was shown in prison attire next to a large quantity of cocaine.
Author’s summary: Lindsay Sandiford, after 12 years on death row in Indonesia for cocaine smuggling, faces immediate imprisonment upon return to the UK, highlighting ongoing legal challenges for drug offenders abroad.