Drugs courier grandmother Lindsay Sandiford is set to depart Bali today with a £600 plane ticket, avoiding the firing squad, as reported by the Mirror. The 69-year-old, who was sentenced to death in 2013 for smuggling cocaine worth £1.6 million into Indonesia, will embark on a journey back to the UK after spending 13 years in prison.
Sandiford, a former legal secretary, will leave Kerobokan jail alongside Shahab Shahabadi, a fellow UK national serving a life sentence for drug offenses. They will be transferred to Denpasar International Airport, where they will be handed over to the UK Ambassador before boarding a flight to London Heathrow Airport.
The bilateral agreement between Indonesia and the UK Government secured Sandiford’s release due to her deteriorating health condition. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper personally intervened to facilitate her return. After enduring harsh conditions in prison, Sandiford is eager to reunite with her family in the UK and receive medical attention.
Sandiford’s ordeal began in 2012 when she was caught with drugs at Bali airport after being coerced by a criminal gang. Despite initially denying her involvement, she later confessed and cooperated with authorities. Her legal team argued that she was manipulated into the crime and faced mental health issues, but her appeals were unsuccessful.
Sandiford’s release comes as Indonesia has relaxed its strict drug trafficking laws, signaling hope for those facing similar situations in the future. During her time in prison, she faced challenges such as developing arthritis and living in cramped conditions, but also found solace in teaching others and earned the nickname “Grandmother”.