Key Takeaways:

• Serge Atlaoui, a Frenchman on death row in Indonesia since 2007, is set to return to France due to his deteriorating health.
• The transfer was made possible by an agreement between Indonesia and France, allowing Atlaoui to serve his sentence back home.
• Atlaoui, who maintains his innocence, was involved in a drug-making factory operation in Jakarta.
• This case highlights Indonesia's ongoing issues with drug-related offenses and the treatment of foreign nationals on death row.
• His return follows the recent repatriation of other high-profile detainees under Indonesia's strict drug laws.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — According to BBC, Serge Atlaoui, a French national imprisoned on death row in Indonesia since 2007 for drug offenses, has been released and is on his way home. The lengthy legal saga, which began with Atlaoui's arrest in 2005 at a drug manufacturing site in Jakarta, culminated in his transfer to France under a humanitarian agreement due to his serious health condition, namely cancer.

Following nearly two decades of incarceration, during which he was twice denied an appeal, Atlaoui's moment of reprieve was celebrated by his family and lawyers. “It’s a miracle,” his wife, Sabine Atlaoui, told French radio. His transfer agreement was facilitated by the Indonesian Ministry of Law and French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who affirmed in a statement that Atlaoui's condition warranted this humanitarian consideration, as he required regular medical treatment.

Upon his departure from Salemba Prison in Jakarta, Atlaoui was escorted to the international airport, where he was to be handed over to French authorities before boarding a flight to Paris. His lawyer reported that Atlaoui was "happy and calm," though he chose not to speak publicly before his flight. His future in France remains uncertain, as he may face legal proceedings which could involve clemency or a reduced sentence depending on French judicial outcomes, where drug offenses typically carry a maximum punishment of 30 years.

This transfer marks a significant moment in Indonesia's approach to foreign nationals convicted of drug crimes. Approximately 530 individuals are currently on death row in Indonesia, with 90 of them being foreigners, underscoring the stringent drug laws in the country. Recent months have seen the release of high-profile inmates, illustrating a potential shift in how the Indonesian government manages its prison overcrowding issues, as discussed in reports from Le Monde and AP News.

As Indonesia continues to navigate complex diplomatic channels regarding drug offenses and foreign nationals, Atlaoui's return underscores both the challenges and potential humanitarian considerations present in international law and justice.

For further details on this intriguing case, follow the news articles from the Le Monde, BBC, and AP News.