First picture of death row gran Lindsay Sandiford back on British soil

First Picture of Death Row Grandmother Lindsay Sandiford Back in the UK

Lindsay Sandiford, 69, a British grandmother who was convicted 13 years ago of smuggling £1.6 million worth of cocaine into Bali, has returned to the United Kingdom. She was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 on Friday.

Sandiford appeared in a wheelchair, dressed in black leggings and a green cardigan, and covered her face with her clothing.

Repatriation Details

Earlier that day, Sandiford left Indonesia early after being spared execution following an agreement between Jakarta and London. The deal allowed her and another British prisoner to be repatriated on humanitarian grounds.

The British government reportedly spent £600 on her return flight.

Handover Ceremony in Bali

Before departure, Sandiford took part in a handover ceremony at Kerobokan Prison. She left the prison alongside Shabab Shahabadi, a 35-year-old British inmate serving a life sentence for drug-related offenses.

Both prisoners were driven to Denpasar International Airport, where they were expected to be received by British Ambassador Dominic Jeremy before boarding their flight.

"Lindsay Sandiford and Shahab Shahabadi have serious health conditions and are being repatriated on humanitarian grounds," said Matthew Downing, the UK’s deputy ambassador to Indonesia.

Sandiford’s return marks the end of over a decade on death row in Indonesia.

Author's Summary

This case highlights a rare humanitarian repatriation of British prisoners from Indonesia, emphasizing health concerns and diplomatic cooperation.

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Daily Mail Daily Mail — 2025-11-07

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