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France calls for 'immediate return' of national on death row in Indonesia

French diplomats have acknowledged since late last year that talks were underway for the transfer of Serge Atlaoui, a 61-year-old Frenchman arrested in 2005 at a drugs factory outside Jakarta.

AFP
Jakarta
Thu, January 9, 2025

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France calls for 'immediate return' of national on death row in Indonesia French drug convict and death row prisoner Serge Atlaoui (left) is escorted by police upon his arrival at the Tangerang District Court in Tangerang, Banten on April 1, 2015. France has asked Indonesia to transfer French death row convict Serge Atlaoui, who has been convicted on drug charges since 2005. (AFP/Romeo Gacad)

F

rance has called for the "immediate return" of a French inmate on death row in Indonesia, citing his "deteriorating health", the Law and Human Rights Ministry said Wednesday.

French diplomats have acknowledged since late last year that talks were underway for the transfer of Serge Atlaoui, a 61-year-old Frenchman arrested in 2005 at a drugs factory outside Jakarta.

"Given Serge Atlaoui's deteriorating health, humanitarian consideration for his immediate return would be appreciated," said the number-two official at the French Embassy in Jakarta, Laurent Legodec, according to a statement from the ministry.

"The French government respects Indonesia's sovereignty in administering justice and would adjust the sentence according to French law," Legodec was also quoted as saying during a meeting between the two nations' representatives.

Discussions would continue in order "to reach an agreement that satisfies both Indonesia and France", the ministry added.

Paris officially requested Atlaoui's transfer in a letter from the minister of justice dated December 19, Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra told AFP last month.

"I have requested that the transfer take place in mid-January so that Serge's health problems can be taken into consideration," his lawyer Richard Sedillot told AFP on Wednesday.

After his arrest two decades ago, Atlaoui was initially sentenced to life in prison, but the Supreme Court in 2007 increased his sentence to death on appeal.

The father-of-four has maintained his innocence, claiming that he was installing machinery in what he thought was an acrylics plant.

In 2015, he was due to be executed alongside eight other drug offenders but won a temporary reprieve after Paris stepped up pressure, with Indonesian authorities agreeing to let an outstanding appeal run its course.

Indonesia has in recent weeks released half a dozen high-profile detainees, including a Filipina mother on death row and the last five members of the so-called "Bali Nine" drug ring.

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