Indonesia and France have agreed to repatriate Serge Atlaoui, a French man on death row since 2007 for drug offenses. His retransfer is scheduled for 4 February after he requested to serve his remaining sentence in France. The agreement highlights the evolving legal relations between the two nations in handling such cases.
Indonesia and France have finalized a repatriation agreement for Serge Atlaoui, a French national who has been on death row since 2007 for alleged drug offenses. His transfer back to France is scheduled for 4 February. Atlaoui was arrested in 2005 for supposed involvement in an MDMA manufacturing operation and has consistently claimed his innocence, asserting that he was merely a welder unaware of the factory’s activities.
After receiving a life sentence in 2005, Atlaoui’s penalty was escalated to death by Indonesia’s Supreme Court in 2007. Recently, he appealed to the Indonesian government to serve the remainder of his sentence in France, where the maximum penalty for serious crimes including drug trafficking is 30 years. His appeal was granted, leading to the recent agreement signed by Indonesian and French officials.
The signing ceremony was conducted remotely by Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s senior minister of law, and Gérald Darmanin, France’s minister of justice. France’s ambassador, Fabien Penone, expressed gratitude to Indonesia for recognizing Atlaoui’s request and highlighted the intention to strengthen bilateral legal cooperation.
Mahendra clarified that once repatriated, the responsibility for Atlaoui’s treatment will lie entirely with the French government, and any decisions regarding clemency will be at France’s discretion. France, which abolished the death penalty in 1981, stands firmly against capital punishment in all situations.
Atlaoui’s case gained significant media attention due to his lengthy appeals and the broader context of Indonesia’s drug laws, with approximately 530 individuals on death row, many for drug-related offenses. Recent statistics indicate an ongoing concern regarding drug trafficking, notably involving amphetamines, which are increasingly trafficked internationally from Indonesia.
The repatriation of Serge Atlaoui marks a significant development in international legal cooperation between Indonesia and France. It underscores the complexities surrounding drug offenses and capital punishment, as well as the ongoing challenges posed by drug trafficking in Indonesia. With Atlaoui’s return to France, a precedent may be set for others seeking similar resolutions.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
