Indonesia and France are set to formalize an agreement on Friday regarding the repatriation of Serge Atlaoui, a French national on death row for drug-related charges, according to Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s Minister for Law and Human Rights.
Atlaoui, imprisoned in Indonesia since 2005, is scheduled to return to France on February 5 or 6. He was convicted for his involvement as a chemist in an ecstasy production facility in Jakarta, capable of manufacturing 100 kilograms (approximately 220 pounds) of illegal drugs weekly. Atlaoui has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he believed the factory was producing acrylic products.
In 2015, Atlaoui narrowly escaped execution alongside seven other foreign nationals when he was granted a last-minute reprieve. However, an Indonesian court subsequently rejected his appeal against the death sentence, leaving no further legal avenues within Indonesia.
The agreement, which will be signed via video conference by Minister Yusril and French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, includes specific conditions. France has agreed to respect the Indonesian court’s ruling, according to Yusril.
“Following the transfer, it will be up to the French government to decide whether to grant clemency or impose a sentence in accordance with French law,” Yusril stated. Under French law, the maximum penalty for a comparable offence is 30 years imprisonment, he added.
The French Ministry of Justice has not yet responded to a request for comment on the matter.
