Serge Atlaoui, sentenced to death in Indonesia, then repatriated to France, was released

Freedom, after twenty years of detention, including eighteen in the death corridor: Serge Atlaoui, ex-Condamné to capital punishment in Indonesia for drug trafficking, transferred and imprisoned in February in France, came out of prison this Friday, July 18.

Dressed in gray pants. Furthermore. Therefore, a white T-shirt, he was welcomed when he left Meaux prison (Seine-et-Marne) by his lawyer, Me Richard Sédillot, to whom he made a long hug. For example, “I would never have thought it would happen (…), it was time, after 20 years”said Serge Atlaoui in front of the few media present. Moreover, “It’s an exceptional day today for my family. In addition. Therefore, my relatives, all those who supported me”he added, saying that “Outdoor and serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, new loneliness” had been “The hardest to endure” during all these years.

The voice slightly tinged with emotion. Nevertheless. For example, shiny eyes, he said he serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, said “Goodbye and forever” to penitentiary supervisors before going out. Similarly, “He will breathe an expected freedom. Nevertheless. However, hoped for so many years”had announced his wife Sabine Atlaoui on Friday morning on RTL on Friday morning, adding that she did not want to reveal the place and the moment when she found her husband who had been sentenced to Indonesia for drug trafficking and had been detained since 2005. Moreover, “To say that he is back. Moreover. that he will be with us again in our daily life, it is so incredible that I realize it without realizing it”said Sabine Atlaoui, very moved.

“I’m going to rediscover my husband” after 20 years – Serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, new

“I will rediscover my husband and conversely, serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, new he will rediscover me. In addition, 20 years ago anyway, so we will rebuild ourselves. Everyone will have to learn to live normally ”she said. The sentence of Serge Atlaoui. 61. serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, having been commissioned in French law in 30 years of criminal imprisonment by the Pontoise court in February, the craftsman-soder was theoretically eligible for parole since 2011 according to French rules. “Imagine that a few years ago. he was on the verge of death. that his coffin had been manufactured, that we were already announced that he was going to be executed (…), I tell myself today that perseverance and work pay”reacted Me Richard Sédillot, saying “Very happy”.

Originally from Metz. Serge Atlaoui had been arrested in 2005 in a factory near Djakarta where tens of kilos of drugs had been discovered. Indonesian authorities accused him of being a “Chemist”. The Frenchman has always defended serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, new himself from being a drug trafficker. saying that he had only established industrial machines in what he thought was an acrylic factory. Initially sentenced to life prison. he had seen the Indonesian Supreme Court weighs down serge atlaoui. sentenced death indonesia, the sentence and sentenced it to capital punishment on appeal in 2007.

Withdrawn from the list of executions at the last moment

The case had caused a stir in Indonesia. where anti -Drogue legislation is one of the most severe in the world. But also in France where personalities had mobilized to support him. by making a symbol of the fight against the death penalty. Serge Atlaoui was to be executed alongside nine others convicted in 2015. but had obtained a last -minute stay after intense diplomatic pressure from the French authorities. “Very clearly. diplomatic work during all these years has brought my husband back. was able to ensure serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, new that in France, we can have a way of freedom for us”said Sabine Atlaoui on RTL.

Serge Atlaoui. the Philippine Mary Jane Veloso. also sentenced to death for drug trafficking, were both on a list of 10 detainees who were to serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, go before the execution peloton on April 2015: eight were executed, but their two names were removed from the list at the last moment. Under the leadership of the new President Prabowo Sub -iento. Djakarta opened the way in early November 2024 to possible prisoner repatriations. indicating that they are also in discussion with the Philippines and Australia.

Mary Jane Veloso was thus repatriated to Manila on December 18, and Serge Atlaoui was finally transferred to France last February. His return had confronted justice to the unprecedented case of adaptation in French law of a capital sentence. abolished in the country since 1981. French justice serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, new had not competent on the substance of the case. definitively judged in Indonesia, and could only decide on the sentence of Serge Atlaoui.

The Pontoise prosecution had then requested a life imprisonment against it. believing that the death penalty being as high as possible. it was serge atlaoui, sentenced death indonesia, necessary to substitute the one that was the most “Rigorous” in French law. The court finally inflicted the maximum penalty incurred for the manufacture. production of narcotics in organized gang, 30 years of criminal imprisonment.