"We are executing an order from our superior to follow up on a practical arrangement between the Indonesian and the Dutch governments," Surabaya Class I Prison Head Sohibur Rachman said here on Sunday.
Rachman said that the drug convict, now aged 65 with six grandchildren, was arrested at Surabaya's Juanda International Airport over a decade ago after police found 6 kg of drugs in his baggage.
Muharram, who was then known as a cafe owner in The Hague, claimed that the bag where the drugs were found was from his acquaintance from Belgium. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for drug smuggling.
"He has served his sentence in this prison for 11 years," Rachman added.
The prison head said that after his release, Muharram will be transported to the Cipinang Prison in Jakarta before his repatriation to the Netherlands together with fellow Dutchman Siegfried Mets, also a drug convict.
Mets, aged 74, was sentenced to death in 2008 for smuggling 600,000 ecstasy pills and has been on death row for 17 years.
"According to the latest information, they will transit at the Cipinang Prison, and the ministry will hand over the two to the Dutch Embassy," Rachman remarked.
Muharram has been flown to Jakarta on Sunday afternoon and will spend his last day in Indonesia at the Cipinang Prison. Muharram and Mets will return to the Netherlands on Monday evening (December 8).
Earlier on December 2, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel agreed on a practical arrangement for the repatriation of Muharram and Mets to their home country.
Mahendra said that following their transfer to the Netherlands, Dutch authorities will assume responsibility for the two drug convicts and determine their legal status.
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Translator: Willi I/Hanif N, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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