A Filipino woman who spent nearly 15 years in an Indonesian prison for drug trafficking is set to return home under a last-minute reprieve. Mary Jane Veloso, convicted of smuggling heroin in 2010, was granted a stay of execution after her recruiter was arrested in the Philippines.
Veloso’s case drew international attention and public outcry in the Philippines, where she had been separated from her children for nearly two decades. She will be flown back to the Philippines on Wednesday under an agreement between the countries.
The reprieve came after Indonesia signed a “practical arrangement” with the Philippines last December, paving the way for Veloso’s release. Her case highlighted the complexities of Indonesia’s strict drug laws and its reputation as a major hub for international drug smuggling.
Indonesia has executed eight people so far this year, but Veloso was spared execution after her recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, was arrested in the Philippines just before the scheduled execution date. Sergio had recruited Veloso under false pretenses, claiming she would work as a domestic worker in Indonesia.
Veloso’s release is seen as a significant development in the country’s efforts to reform its justice system and improve relations with neighboring countries.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-philippines-mary-jane-veloso-drugs-prison-7d106d58f209682fd74adf06415d5426