Indonesia, France sign deal for transfer of Frenchman on death row

Indonesia and France on Friday signed an agreement for the repatriation of a Frenchman on death row since 2007 for alleged drug offences.

Serge Atlaoui, who was jailed in Indonesia in 2005, will return to France on 4 February, Law and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra announced.

Atlaoui, a 51-year-old father of four, was arrested near Jakarta in 2005 in a secret laboratory capable of producing 100kg of ecstasy per week. He was working there as a chemist.

He was sentenced to death two years later – the only one of the nine arrested to receive the death sentence.

Atlaoui has long maintained his innocence, saying he thought he was working in an acrylics factory.

In 2015, Atlaoui was about to be executed with seven other foreign prisoners but was granted a last-minute reprieve after Paris stepped up pressure. An Indonesian court then rejected his appeal against the death sentence, leaving him with no other legal options.

Yusril will sign the repatriation agreement with the French Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin via video teleconference on Friday, said Yusril.

Atlaoui is suffering from an illness and receives weekly treatment at a hospital.

Paris submitted an official request for his transfer last month.

Indonesian court rejects French man's appeal against death sentence

Fate in France to be decided

Read more on RFI English

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