A lawyer representing the Redcar gran facing the death sentence in Bali for cocaine smuggling has spoken out calling for a fresh trial.
International human rights lawyer Craig Tuck has now joined the fight to save Lindsay Sandiford from the death sentence.
And he has called it the “most important criminal appeal on the planet”.
A new website has been set up by the 58-year-old’s supporters to raise funds.
They are required to support her legal battle in the Indonesian Supreme Court against her sentence for smuggling cocaine.
And in a statement on the campaign’s Facebook page from Ms Sandiford said: “I am thankful for the lawyers who have come to my assistance and the support of my family and friends throughout the world.
“This is a very difficult time and all I ask is that my case be fully and properly presented in the Supreme Court of Indonesia - I just ask for a fair go nothing more.”
Lindsay Sandiford
Ms Sandiford’s team of lawyers will also challenge the British government, after claiming they have refused to fund her legal battle.
She is to seek what is known in Indonesia as a PK hearing – effectively a full retrial.
New Zealand barrister Mr Tuck, who is fighting for an appeal with a team of lawyers, said: “This is a hugely important case and given the factual matrix and issues raised, it is possibly the most important criminal appeal on the planet at present.
“Ms Sandiford is simply seeking a full and fair hearing at an appeal where her case is properly presented.”
Tuck has travelled to Bali numerous times for discussions in Kerobokan prison with his client.
He said she was articulate and clear-minded about the legal predicament she faces, but inevitably was emotional and distressed over her situation.
“Her abiding hope is simple – to have her case fairly put in front of the relevant appellant authorities and for it to be heard and decided on its merits – nothing more or less,” Mr Tuck added.
Mr Tuck said that during her three years in Kerobokan prison since her arrest, Ms Sandiford has made a significant contribution to others in dire need of assistance.
“She has helped numerous other prisoners in practical and meaningful ways and is well liked and respected by prison authorities,” he said.
“Ms Sandiford’s case is one of the most frightening examples of how things go wrong for foreigners caught up in overseas jurisdictions they do not initially understand.
“From start to finish this has been a tale of ‘if something could go wrong it did’. It is an appalling prospect to think there is a firing squad waiting if this last appeal does not succeed.”
“In spite of her role as a drug mule and the cooperation she gave to police after her arrest, Ms Sandiford has been sentenced to be shot while the others higher up and with more culpability serve short terms of imprisonment or walk free.”
The website asks for donations for her legal battle against the death penalty.
On the website, Sandiford's sister Hilary Parsons appealed for financial help.
“Lindsay deserves to have her case reviewed in the Indonesian courts with papers prepared by a competent Indonesian capital lawyer," she writes.
"She has a good case which could hopefully see her sentence commuted.
“Today, I am launching a fund to allow her to exercise her legal right and seek a final appeal to re-examine her case with expert help.
“Lindsay’s life depends upon it.”
Sandiford's supporters claim that she has had no help from the British government since she was sentenced to death in January 2013.
That was after being found with cocaine as she arrived in Bali on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, in May 2012.
The 58-year old has no previous criminal offences and a worked as a legal clerk in England.
But the Foreign Office has always maintained that they have consistently provided and offered consular support to Ms Sandiford, which she has declined to accept.
PLEASE HELP SAVE LINDSAY SANDIFORD - a British woman from execution by firing squad in Indonesia
ReplyDeleteLindsay Sandiford 58 years old has been on death row since 2012 & was convicted of trying to smuggle cocaine through Bali's airport. She says she was forced to transport the drugs to protect her children. She became a grandmother for the first time not long after her arrest and had no previous criminal convictions.
At present there are 10 people facing imminent execution en-mass and Lindsay has been informed she is due for execution in the next ‘batch’
Lindsay needs your help today. Without it, she may soon be executed by firing squad in Indonesia for a crime that she was forced to commit, and for which she doesn’t deserve to die.
Clear duties on the authorities in the UK and Indonesia to protect those forced to commit crime were not properly invoked and she was left to appear as a litigant in person in a foreign country without proper translation. Her situation has been made far worse by the neglect of the British authorities, who have not investigated the circumstances in which she was coerced from the UK, have refused to fund her fight against the death penalty and are holding vital information about a personal relationship that developed between the drugs syndicate leader and a female British Vice Consul in Bali.
Lindsay unfortunately is unable to afford to pay for the lawyers who are willing to help but cannot work pro-bono for the whole case.
“The death penalty has no place in the 21st century.” -
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
http://www.lindsaysandiford.org/
https://twitter.com/justice250656
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1575993886023754/