Death Sentence Imposed on Frenchman for Drug Trafficking in Indonesia
On May 20, 2019, Frenchman Felix Dorfin was sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking after being found guilty of importing approximately four kilograms of narcotics. Though prosecutors initially sought a 20-year prison term, the court’s decision shocked both Mr. Dorfin and his legal counsel. He had previously escaped from police custody and was recaptured shortly before the trial. An appeal is anticipated by his lawyer, who claims that Mr. Dorfin was unaware of the illicit nature of his cargo.
On May 20, 2019, a court in Indonesia issued a death sentence to French national Felix Dorfin, who was found guilty of drug trafficking. The presiding judge, Isnurul Syamsul Arif, declared, “After finding Felix Dorfin legally and convincingly guilty of importing narcotics … [he] is sentenced to the death penalty.” Mr. Dorfin, aged 35 and originally from Bethune, France, was apprehended at Lombok airport in September 2018 after arriving from Singapore with nearly four kilograms of illegal substances, including cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines concealed within a dual-compartment suitcase. The defendant had previously escaped from police custody in January 2019, leading to an eleven-day manhunt that ended with his capture in a forest on Lombok. Allegations arose surrounding a female police officer who was accused of assisting Mr. Dorfin’s escape for monetary gain. It remains uncertain whether this escape influenced the severity of the sentence handed down. The sentencing was unexpected; the prosecution had only sought a 20-year prison term. Following the verdict, Mr. Dorfin’s lawyer, Deny Nur, stated his intentions to appeal, asserting that his client was a “victim” who was unaware of the specific contents of the bag he transported.
Indonesia has strict anti-drug laws, and drug trafficking offenses can carry severe penalties, including the death sentence. The country has a history of executing individuals for drug-related crimes, although there have been no executions since 2016. High-profile cases involving foreigners, such as Serge Atlaoui and Lindsay Sandiford, indicate a continued application of capital punishment, despite critiques regarding fairness and human rights implications. The case of Felix Dorfin illustrates the rigorous enforcement of these laws and the potential consequences of involvement in drug trafficking, even for foreign nationals. The prominence of this case in media underscores the tension between international perceptions of justice and domestic legal practices in Indonesia.
Felix Dorfin’s sentencing to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking highlights the nation’s uncompromising stance on narcotics offenses. The unexpected nature of the verdict, in contrast to the prosecution’s request for a lesser sentence, may raise questions about the legal system’s transparency. Mr. Dorfin’s appeal reflects the ongoing legal battles faced by those sentenced under Indonesia’s stringent drug laws, amid broader discussions about justice and human rights in the country.
Original Source: www.dw.com
