Frenchman Felix Dorfin Sentenced to Death in Indonesia for Drug Trafficking

Felix Dorfin, a Frenchman, was sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking after being caught with nearly four kilograms of narcotics at Lombok Airport. The sentence surprised his lawyer, who intended to appeal, arguing that Dorfin was unaware of the substances he carried. Indonesia maintains strict drug laws, with several foreign nationals still facing death penalties for similar offenses.

On May 20, 2019, a court in Indonesia sentenced French national Felix Dorfin to death for drug trafficking. The presiding judge, Isnurul Syamsul Arif, pronounced the decision after finding Dorfin legally guilty of importing narcotics. Prosecutors had originally sought a 20-year prison sentence, but the court imposed the maximum penalty, shocking both Dorfin and his legal counsel. Dorfin, aged 35, was arrested at Lombok International Airport in September 2018 while carrying nearly four kilograms of illegal substances, including cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines, concealed in a double-bottomed suitcase. His case took a controversial turn as he had recently escaped from police custody in January 2019, leading to an 11-day manhunt that ended with his recapture in a forest on Lombok Island. During this escapade, one police officer was implicated in assisting his escape for monetary compensation. Although it remains unclear if this jailbreak influenced the capital sentence, Dorfin’s lawyer, Deny Nur, expressed deep concern, declaring intentions to appeal the verdict, characterizing Dorfin as a “victim” unaware of the true nature of his cargo. In Indonesia, the death penalty remains a controversial issue, with the country yet to execute an individual since 2016. Nonetheless, several foreign nationals, including Dorfin, remain on death row, with cases such as Serge Atlaoui and Lindsay Sandiford drawing significant international attention.

Indonesia’s strict drug laws remain a critical point of contention, particularly regarding foreigners caught in drug trafficking offenses. The death penalty, although seldom carried out in recent years, continues to be enforced as a potential sentence for major drug offenses, attracting both domestic and international scrutiny. The country maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards drug crimes, which has led to severe penalties, including capital punishment. The case of Felix Dorfin exemplifies the severe consequences imposed on those convicted under these stringent laws and highlights Indonesia’s complex judicial environment.

Felix Dorfin’s case illustrates the harsh reality of Indonesia’s anti-drug laws, with a death sentence imposed despite prosecutors recommending a lighter penalty. The incident raises critical questions about the judicial process in Indonesia, particularly the role of circumstances such as recent escape from custody in the sentencing phase. As Dorfin plans to appeal, the international community watches closely, especially given the broader implications of such severe penalties for drug-related offenses involving foreign nationals.

Original Source: www.dw.com