Jakarta: Indonesia and the Netherlands on Tuesday formalized an agreement to repatriate two Dutch nationals convicted of serious drug offenses, including one who had been on death row, in a move described by officials as a landmark gesture of humanitarian and diplomatic cooperation. The agreement comes after years of negotiations and underscores the strengthening ties between the two nations.
Under the deal, 74-year-old Siegfried Mets, who has been on death row since 2008 for smuggling and distributing over 600,000 ecstasy pills, and 65-year-old Ali Tokman, originally sentenced to death in 2015 for trafficking 6 kilograms of MDMA but later commuted to life imprisonment, will be returned to the Netherlands. Both prisoners have spent significant portions of their lives behind bars in Indonesia, with Mets reportedly experiencing deteriorating health in recent years.
The signing ceremony took place in Jakarta, with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights and Immigration, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, representing the Indonesian side, while Dutch counterpart David van Weel participated virtually. Indonesian authorities confirmed that the repatriation was granted following official requests from the Dutch government and the King of the Netherlands, and was approved by President Prabowo Subianto. The convicts are scheduled to depart for Amsterdam on December 8, 2025.
Indonesian officials emphasized that while the repatriation is carried out on humanitarian grounds, the original court verdicts remain valid. Once in the Netherlands, the convicts will undergo further judicial review, which may include decisions on clemency or sentence adjustments under Dutch law. The Dutch government welcomed the agreement, describing it as a humane and principled approach that reflects the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
This repatriation follows a broader trend of Indonesia cooperating with foreign governments on the transfer of prisoners, particularly those convicted of drug-related crimes. Over the past year, Jakarta has arranged for the repatriation of convicts from countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and the Philippines, many of whom were serving life sentences or facing capital punishment.
Observers note that this agreement balances Indonesia’s strict anti-drug enforcement policies with humanitarian considerations, while also easing potential diplomatic tensions with foreign nations. It is expected that this framework could serve as a precedent for future prisoner transfers under clearly defined legal and diplomatic protocols, reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to international cooperation without compromising its judicial sovereignty.