We take a look at the grim timeline of convicted drug smuggler Lindsay Sandiford - from her arrest and terrifying wait for her execution date to a recent ray of hope that could bring about her reprieve.
British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford is currently incarcerated in Bali's infamous Kerobokan prison, alongside some 1,000 fellow inmates, knitting to pass the time and - in the earlier years of her incarceration - raise money for appeals.
The 67-year-old mother-of-two was arrested after flying from Bangkok to Bali with £1.6 million worth of cocaine in her luggage - beginning the start of her continuing nightmare.
Initially, Sandiford claimed she'd been forced into transporting the drugs by a criminal gang who'd threatened to harm her family, and cooperated with police in a sting to catch those higher up in the operation.
Unfortunately for Sandiford, her cooperation did little to grant her any leniency, and she now faces the brutal prospect of death by firing squad.
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There could however now be some light at the end of the tunnel, with legislation introduced in January meaning Sandiford's death sentence could well be converted into a life prison term given that she has managed more than 10 years’ good behaviour behind bars
Should this come to pass, lawyers could argue for the cocaine grandmother's return to the UK, where she will likely go free given the many years she's already served in Indonesia.
After travelling to Bangkok, Sandiford met two people from a drug syndicate (AFP/Getty Images)Early 2012: After separating from her husband, Sandiford decided to move to India from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where she'd worked as a legal secretary for many years.
May 17, 2012: Sandiford went to Bangkok, Thailand, where she allegedly met with two people from a drug syndicate before collecting a suitcase stuffed with cocaine.
May 19, 2012: Upon arriving in Bali from Bangkok, Sandiford is arrested after £1.6 million worth of cocaine is found in her luggage. Police then accuse her of being part of a drugs ring involving three other Brits.
May 20, 2012: Sandiford opts to cooperate with police, offering up information about the drug syndicate. She also claims she was coerced into carrying the drugs into Bali.
Police accused Sandiford of being part of a drug ring involving three other Brits (PA)
She was sentenced to death in January 2013 (PA)January 22, 2013: Sandiford is sentenced to death, after being convicted of smuggling 10.6lb of cocaine into Bali from Thailand. A panel of judges handed down the sentence of death by firing squad, despite the prosecution having recommended she serve 15 years in prison instead.
January 29, 2013: One of the three Brits detained after Sandiford is arrested for drug smuggling. Although cleared of smuggling, former antiques dealer Julian Ponder, from Brighton, is convicted of possessing 23g of cocaine. Ponder, and is jailed for six years for drug offences.
Imprisoned Sandiford lost her first and second appeals against her death sentence (AFP/Getty Images)January 31, 2013: Sandiford loses her bid for the UK government to fund a lawyer following an attempt to appeal against the death penalty.
February 15, 2013: The British consulate in Bali submit a statement to Sandiford's appeal. The FCDO spokesperson says: “It continues to be the longstanding policy of the United Kingdom to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and we will do all we can to assist British nationals facing the death penalty.”
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April 8, 2013: Sandiford loses her first appeal against her sentence, with judges ruling the original decision to 'accurate and correct'.
Despite her ordeal, Sandiford feels 'blessed' to have seen her children grow up (AFP/Getty Images)
The mother-of-two whiles away the hours behind bars by knitting (Gloucestershirelive)August 30, 2013: Sandiford loses a second appeal against the highest court in Indonesia, with chief judge Artidjo Alkostar stating, 'the decision is unanimous'.
February 22, 2019: Speaking with MailOnline from prison, Sandiford expressed gratitude despite her terrifying situation, saying: “I have been blessed to live long enough to see my two sons grow up into fine young men and blessed to have been able to meet my two grandchildren. A lot of people don’t get that in their lifetime."
Appearing resigned to her fate, she added: "It won't be a hard thing for me to face anymore. It's not particularly a death I would choose but them again I wouldn't choose dying in agony from cancer either.
"I do feel I can cope with it. But when it happens I don't want my family to come. I don't want any fuss at all. The one thing certain about life is no one gets out alive."
According to Mack, Sandiford pretty much spends all day alone in her cell (X01239)
May 18, 2019: Fellow inmate, Heather Mack, who was jailed in 2015 after helping her boyfriend murder her mother, spoke with The Mirror about what Sandiford's life is like behind bars.
Mack, who helped her partner wrap her mother's body in tape and stuff it in a suitcase attempting to flee, says Sandiford “spends all day pretty much alone in her cell and doesn’t mix so much with the other prisoners.”
She adds: “I am friends with Lindsay but she has been difficult to speak to recently. She snaps at me for no reason but I still make an effort with her. She has said she wants to die."
After losing all hope of a reprieve, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for Sandiford (Humphrey Nemar /daily mirror)March 15, 2024: Human rights barrister Felicity Gerry KC, who visited Sandiford in 2015, called for her return to the UK.
She said: “Indonesia is taking an important step in recognising the need to commute the sentences of those subject to the death penalty, especially women. Lindsay co-operated with the authorities and explained levels of coercion that should have at least mitigated her position. The Government should be taking active steps to facilitate her return to the UK, either to serve a sentence near her family or to consider her release.”
An inmate also told the Mirror: “There is hope that she can go home. If she can get through to 2025 then she thinks she may be able to avoid the death penalty.”
These new developments come as British officials recently stepped up trips to see Sandiford - upping these from just four times a year to monthly visits.
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