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Frenchman on Death Row Freed from Indonesian Jail

In a sudden turn of events, Serge Atlaoui, a 61-year-old Frenchman who had been on death row in Indonesia since 2007 for drug offenses, was released from Salemba prison in Jakarta and transferred to France. The decision came after an agreement between the French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin and his Indonesian counterpart Yusril Ihza Mahendra on January 24.

Atlaoui's release was granted on humanitarian grounds due to his poor health, which has required him to receive weekly medical treatment at a hospital. This move marks a significant shift in Indonesia's stance on capital punishment, as the country recently signaled its intention to resume executions, which have been on hiatus since 2016.

Background

Atlaoui was initially arrested in 2005 for allegedly being a chemist by Indonesian authorities after dozens of kilos of drugs were discovered at a factory in Jakarta. He initially denied being a drug trafficker, claiming he was installing machinery in what he thought was an acrylic factory. His sentence was reviewed by the Supreme Court and changed to death on appeal.

The Impact

Atlaoui's release is part of Indonesia's recent trend of releasing high-profile detainees, including a Filipino mother on death row and the last five members of the so-called Bali Nine drug ring. This development signals a significant shift in Indonesia's stance on capital punishment, with the country now set to resume executions.

The Future

In France, Atlaoui will be presented to prosecutors and most likely detained while awaiting a decision on the adaptation [of his sentence], according to his lawyer Richard Sedillot. It remains to be seen whether Atlaoui's sentence will be commuted or if he will face further legal action.

Key Takeaways

Indonesia has released several high-profile detainees in recent weeks, including a Filipino mother on death row and the last five members of the Bali Nine drug ring.
The Frenchman on death row was released from prison ahead of his transfer to France due to poor health.
Indonesia's decision to release Atlaoui signals a shift in its stance on capital punishment, with the country recently signaling it will resume executions.

Conclusion

Atlaoui's release is a significant development in Indonesia's legal system and highlights the complexities surrounding capital punishment. As the country weighs the pros and cons of maintaining this practice, the international community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.