After 19 years in prison in Indonesia, he returns to Paris



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After 19 years in prison or under judicial control in this country popular with tourists, Michael Blanc arrived Saturday at Soekarno-Hatta airport in Jakarta escorted by immigration agents. He then flew on a flight of Turkish Airlines, accompanied by his mother, Helene Le Touzey, who worked tirelessly for his release.

They must arrive Sunday at 11am at Roissy airport, according to a airport source

Arrested in December 1999 at the airport of the enchanting island of Bali, Michael White saw his life suddenly change. Aged 26, the cook from Haute-Savoie is arrested with 3.8 kilos of hashish hidden in diving bottles. He argues in vain that a friend had entrusted him to transport them.

Sentenced to life imprisonment, he received a partial pardon in 2009 and his sentence was commuted to 20 years in prison. After obtaining a conditional release, he was released from prison in 2014 but under judicial control with the prohibition to leave Indonesia before July 21.

Today, 45 years old, the Frenchman was expelled from the country as planned Indonesian legislation for all foreigners once they have completed their sentence

The heaviness of the Frenchman's conviction in one of the most repressive countries in the world against drug trafficking was strongly criticized in France. The mediatization of his situation triggered an important mobilization in the country, with petitions signed by personalities and many anonymous.

But it is his mother, who gave up everything – job, family, country – from the year 2000 to come to his rescue, that Michael White owes his salvation. Hélène Le Touzey was very involved, first to obtain a reduction of sentence, and then to release him.

"If I had not been there, he would not be there anymore. One moment, he had asked me to leave to be able to finish life. He told me that I will never get his release, "she said when her son was released from prison in 2014.

" Midnight Express "

From the very beginning In the case, the French TV host Thierry Ardisson defended the prisoner during his broadcasts, going so far as to organize a "Michaëlthon" – a celebrity auction – to finance his support committee. 19659002] Impatient to meet Mr. Blanc when he returned to France, Mr. Ardisson told AFP that he was a "modern hero at the Midnight Express ", a reference to Alan Parker's film about an American detained in Turkey for drug trafficking

The host said he was going to invite Mr. Blanc on his show, which will resume in September on C8.

The family du Français is delighted to see him finally come back to the country: "We are extremely happy to know Today we are waiting for him with a lot of emotions, "said Alfredo Descalzi, Michael Blanc's uncle and secretary of his support badociation, CNews.

" It's been a month that he is in France in his mind. He wanted with great force to return to his country, "he added.

At a time when more and more legislation around the world allows the sale and consumption of cannabis, two other French are serving long sentences for drug trafficking in Indonesia: Gérard Debetz, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2011, and Serge Atlaoui who was sentenced to death in 2007.

And dozens of others convicted of The death penalty for drug trafficking, including many foreigners, are on death row. However, there has been no execution for two years.

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