Serge Atlaoui, 61, known for his claims of wrongful accusations, will leave behind his incarceration and face a new chapter in France, where he may encounter a different justice system.
**French National Serge Atlaoui to Return Home from Indonesian Death Row**
**French National Serge Atlaoui to Return Home from Indonesian Death Row**
A French man, held for drug offenses in Indonesia since 2007, is set to return home following a humanitarian agreement between the two countries.
Serge Atlaoui, a 61-year-old French national, has left Indonesian prison and is heading home after spending over 15 years behind bars for drug-related convictions. His release comes as part of a humanitarian agreement made on January 24 between Indonesia and France, allowing Atlaoui to return due to his cancer diagnosis and the ongoing medical treatment he receives. Arrested in 2005 for allegedly working in a drug manufacturing operation, Atlaoui always insisted he was merely involved in machinery installation. His life sentence was later changed to a death sentence, although a planned execution in 2015 was halted following diplomatic pressure from France.
Upon arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Atlaoui will be transferred to French authorities and is expected to be detained while awaiting a decision regarding his status in France. His wife, Sabine, expressed relief about his return but noted that Atlaoui does not wish to meet family at the airport, hoping instead to reunite when he is truly free. In France, the maximum penalty for similar offenses is 30 years in prison, and the final decision regarding his sentence will rest with French authorities. The case of Atlaoui mirrors broader changes within Indonesia’s policy on drug offenses, as several other high-profile prisoners have been released, reflecting shifting attitudes toward strict drug laws.
Upon arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Atlaoui will be transferred to French authorities and is expected to be detained while awaiting a decision regarding his status in France. His wife, Sabine, expressed relief about his return but noted that Atlaoui does not wish to meet family at the airport, hoping instead to reunite when he is truly free. In France, the maximum penalty for similar offenses is 30 years in prison, and the final decision regarding his sentence will rest with French authorities. The case of Atlaoui mirrors broader changes within Indonesia’s policy on drug offenses, as several other high-profile prisoners have been released, reflecting shifting attitudes toward strict drug laws.
