France summons Indonesia ambassador over death row citizen

Serge Atlaoui (right) and his wife Sabine (left) tell their story during an interview on March 25, 2008, in this file photo. -- PHOTO: AFP
Serge Atlaoui (right) and his wife Sabine (left) tell their story during an interview on March 25, 2008, in this file photo. -- PHOTO: AFP

PARIS (AFP) - France summoned the Indonesian ambassador on Tuesday to voice its "extreme concern" over a French citizen sentenced to death on drug charges in Indonesia.

"The minister expressed France's firm opposition to the death penalty in all locations and all circumstances," the office of Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement after he met with ambassador SE Hotmangadjara Pandjaitan.

Serge Atlaoui, a father of four, was arrested near Jakarta in 2005 in a secret laboratory producing ecstasy.

He was sentenced to death in 2007.

"In line with the partnership that unites our two countries, (the minister) underlined France's special vigilance with respect to the rights of our compatriot," the statement added.

According to local media reports, Atlaoui, one of seven foreigners on Indonesia's death row, could soon face execution.

His lawyer in Indonesia filed a request this month for a review of the trial, a last-ditch attempt to save his client's life.

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