Indonesia and France have finalized an agreement to repatriate Serge Atlaoui.
Indonesia and France have signed an agreement to repatriate Serge Atlaoui, a Frenchman who has been on death row in Indonesia since 2007 for alleged drug offenses. Atlaoui, 61, is set to return to France after months of talks between the two nations.
On February 4, following the signing of the deal remotely by Indonesia’s senior minister for law Yusril Ihza Mahendra and France’s Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin, witnessed by both countries' delegations in Jakarta and Paris.
Indonesia has one of the toughest drug laws on the world. Atlaoui, who has been in prison for his involvement in an ecstasy production operation, was originally sentenced to life in prison, Atlaoui’s sentence was later changed to the death penalty after an appeal to the Supreme Court. After receiving the death sentence, he was initially held on Nusakambangan Island in Central Java, which is known as Indonesia’s "Alcatraz." Later on he was transferred to the city of Tangerang.
He received a temporary reprieve from the death sentence after Paris intensified its pressure, prompting Indonesian authorities to allow the pending appeal to be heard. He made a final plea last month, requesting to serve the remainder of his sentence in France due to his health condition, reportedly suffering from cancer.
The Indonesian government has agreed to transfer Atlaoui back to France, where he will complete his sentence. France’s ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, thanked the Indonesian government for granting Atlaoui’s request and emphasized the strengthening of legal cooperation between the two nations.
Atlaoui, a father of four, has maintained his innocence, claiming he believed he was working in an acrylics factory, not a drug lab. The agreement marks a step toward reinforcing bilateral relations between Indonesia and France.
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More than 500 people were arrested and two fatalities reported following chaotic celebrations across France after Paris Saint-Germain's historic Champions League victory, according to the interior ministry.
Wildfires in western and central Canada have triggered the evacuation of more than 26,000 people, with provinces including Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta facing major threats.
Indonesian rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate eight people still missing after a quarry collapse in West Java left at least 17 dead and six injured, with authorities warning of ongoing landslide risks.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Wildfires in western and central Canada have triggered the evacuation of more than 26,000 people, with provinces including Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta facing major threats.
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