In a move marking renewed legal cooperation between Jakarta and The Hague, Indonesian authorities have repatriated two Dutch citizens convicted of serious drug trafficking offences. The men — one originally sentenced to death, the other serving life — were handed over to Dutch officials today and are set to continue their incarceration under Dutch jurisdiction. The transfer stems from a formal accord between the two countries, prompted by deteriorating health and humanitarian considerations.
Elderly Convicts Included — One From Death Row
The two men transferred are 74-year-old and 65-year-old nationals from the Netherlands. The elder, convicted in 2008 for smuggling 600,000 ecstasy pills into Indonesia, had languished on death row since then.
The second, arrested at Surabaya airport in December 2014 after customs seized over six kilograms of MDMA, had his death sentence commuted on appeal and had been serving a life sentence.
Diplomatic Agreement and Humanitarian Grounds
The repatriation is the result of a formal memorandum signed by top justice and foreign-affairs officials from both countries. The request — made by the Dutch government and monarch — cited serious health issues faced by the convicts. The deal was green-lit by Jakarta’s top authorities, including approval from the head of state.
Under the agreement, both men will continue to serve out their sentences in the Netherlands under supervision by Dutch probation services.
Reflecting Broader Trends in International Prisoner Transfers
This transfer comes amid a wider policy shift under the current Indonesian administration, which has repatriated several foreign nationals convicted for drug crimes — including individuals from Australia, Britain, France, and the Philippines.
The case underscores India’s importance as a tough-on-drugs jurisdiction, yet also highlights growing diplomatic efforts to handle foreign convicts through international cooperation and humanitarian channels rather than capital punishment or long-term incarceration abroad.
