…Researched and contributed by Lola Smith.
British Grandmother Lindsay Sandiford was caught in 2012 with £1.6 million worth of cocaine in her suitcase in Bali.
She has been on death row in Indonesia for over ten years and is currently incarcerated in the infamous Kerobokan Prison.
Sandiford was sentenced to death in 2013.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2015, a police officer in charge of carrying out the death penalties in Indonesia gave some insight into what Sandiford is facing.
In the middle of the night, a team of officers will escort and shackle Sandiford to a jungle clearing where a firing squad waits to execute her.
Sandiford’s legal team argued that she had been pressured into carrying the drugs and had suffered from mental health problems, but her pleas were ignored, and she was sentenced to death.
The Firing Squad in Bali Sandiford’s execution will be carried out by a firing squad made up of twelve officers, some with live rounds and some without.
They stand between five to ten meters away from the prisoner before opening fire.
The officers will tie Sandiford’s hands behind her back and onto poles.
She can choose whether she wants to sit or stand, but she cannot flinch during the execution.
The prisoners can decide if they want to cover their face before they are tied up.
The Mental Burden on the Officers While those who go into the firing squad are selected based on their mental strength, the unnamed officer said the other role was more mentally taxing.
The officer explained that the mental burden is heavier for the officers responsible for handling the prisoners than for those who execute them.
The officers are involved in picking up the prisoners and tying their hands together until they are gone.
Sandiford’s Arrest Sandiford was arrested on May 19, 2012, as she arrived in Bali from Bangkok.
She insisted that a criminal gang had forced her to carry the drugs, threatening to harm her family if she refused.
However, she changed her story dramatically when told she would receive the death penalty if she was convicted of drug trafficking.
Sandiford’s legal team argued that she had been pressured into carrying the drugs and had suffered from mental health problems, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Even the prosecution had pleaded for her to be jailed for 15 years instead of being sentenced to death.
Commentary
This case highlights the harsh consequences of drug trafficking in Indonesia, where drug laws are strict, and the death penalty is still applied.
While Sandiford’s case has been controversial, it is vital to understand the laws of a foreign country before visiting.
Drug trafficking is illegal in many countries, and offenders may face severe penalties, including imprisonment and even death.
It is crucial to respect the laws of other countries and avoid carrying illegal substances.