“We hope that Serge's request for repatriation to France will be successful”, testifies the wife of Serge Atlaoui, sentenced to death in Indonesia

Serge Atlaoui was arrested in 2005, sentenced to life imprisonment, then finally to death in 2007. After several changes of place of detention, he has been in Salemba prison in Jakarta since the beginning of the year.

“We hope that Serge’s request for repatriation to France will be successful,” testifies Sabine Atlaoui, the wife of Serge Atlaoui, sentenced to death in Indonesia, to France Bleu Lorraine Nord, Saturday November 30. The Indonesian authorities indicated on Friday that France had requested the transfer of this 60-year-old Frenchman, detained in Indonesia since 2005 and sentenced to death for drug trafficking. “This is a first in 19 years”reacts Sabine Atlaoui, who lives in Moselle with her son. “This news filled us with emotion. It’s a big step forward,” she continues.

Sabine Atlaoui explains that she showed Indonesian press articles to her 13-year-old son. “I asked him if he had understood what he had just read. He replied: 'Yes mom, I understood. It's a request.' There is nothing more to add: it must now succeed.” she says. “We must let the Indonesian and French authorities continue their dialogue”she adds, specifying that she wants to remain cautious.

According to Sabine Atlaoui, France and Indonesia have never stopped discussing her husband's case: “Even if we no longer heard from Serge at certain times, French diplomacy has always followed his case since 2009.” Serge Atlaoui's wife has a thought for all the people who have been working alongside him for 19 years. “This news is also for them. We must always keep hope”she emphasizes.

Serge Atlaoui was arrested in 2005, sentenced to life imprisonment, then finally to death in 2007, recalls France Bleu Lorraine Nord. In 2015, fear of his execution was at its peak after his request for a review of his trial was rejected. The Mosellan, who will be 61 years old on December 16, is still incarcerated in Indonesia. After several changes of place of detention, he has been in Salemba prison in Jakarta since the beginning of the year.