French National Exits Death Row in Indonesia, Heads Home Amid Humanitarian Agreement

In a significant turn of events, Serge Atlaoui, age 61, has left his prison cell in Indonesia's Jakarta and is preparing to return to his homeland of France. This move comes as a result of a bilateral agreement between Indonesia and France which was confirmed on January 24, focusing on humanitarian grounds due to Atlaoui's serious health condition—he is undergoing treatment for cancer. His wife, Sabine Atlaoui, expressed overwhelming relief to RTL radio, calling it a "miracle" that he survived both 19 years of incarceration and a pending execution.

Atlaoui, who was originally arrested in 2005 for his alleged role in drug manufacturing, has consistently denied being involved in drug trafficking, asserting that he was merely installing machinery in an acrylic factory. Although initially sentenced to life imprisonment, his sentence was later escalated to death by the Indonesian supreme court. His execution was supposed to occur in 2015, but pressure from the French government intervened to stall the process.

Upon arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Atlaoui will be handed over to French authorities before boarding a flight to Paris. His attorney, Richard Sedillot, notes that while he is returning to France, Atlaoui will likely be detained and presented to prosecutors to determine the next steps. Under French law, the maximum penalty for similar crimes is 30 years in prison, and it will be up to the French authorities to decide if Atlaoui is eligible for clemency or a reduced sentence.

Atlaoui’s situation reflects a broader trend as Indonesia has recently seen other high-profile detainees released from its strict drug laws, including Mary Jane Veloso from the Philippines and members of the "Bali Nine" drug ring. Currently, Indonesia still has about 90 foreigners on death row, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding human rights and capital punishment in the nation.