Accused of drug trafficking and sentenced to death for almost 20 years, Messin Serge Atlaoui is still in Indonesia. France requests his repatriation.
Will Serge Atlaoui ever return to France? In 2005, Messin was arrested in Indonesia, in a factory where drugs had been discovered. Sentenced to death two years later, this father of four children has always defended himself against these accusations. After obtaining a reprieve in 2015, today, France wants more than ever to repatriate this man who is now 61 years old. Moselle Info’s guest, his lawyer Richard Sédillot, discusses the situation.
It’s a case that made noise in Indonesia as in France at the start of the 21st century. Welder Mosellan was arrested while working in an ecstasy manufacturing laboratory but he claimed to have been recruited to install machines in an acrylic factory. Serge Atlaoui was paid “black” €8,000 per month. So, according to the courts, the man, aged in his forties at the time, was convicted of being the drug trafficker’s chemist. In 2007, he was sentenced to death.
The execution was planned for 2015. Under French pressure, it did not take place. 10 years later, there are discussions between the French State and the Indonesian State. The latter has enabled the return of several detainees to their country of origin in recent years. The lawyer, Richard Sédillot, hopes that an agreement will be reached.
Jakarta could accept this transfer to France because “ time has passed »and man has always been ” irreproachable in prison on a daily basis”. In addition, the authorities increasingly believe in “ son innocence ». His family which is “ very united »is now “ full of hope » with always « a form of worry because Serge Atlaoui is still not there, at their side”.
If there is a return to France, what will be the fate reserved for Serge Atlaoui? For the moment, his lawyer does not wish to speak because we have not yet reached this situation. A sentence adapted to French law could apply. Whatever happens, Richard Sédillot says he will go see him as soon as possible if he is back in France. He wishes to discuss this situation with him, for a matter which has not yet been concluded, after 20 years of negotiations.
(Photo credit: Roméo Gacad, AFP)
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