Indonesia court rejects appeal of Frenchman facing execution

FILE - In this March 11, 2015 file photo, Serge Atlaoui, center, a French national who is on death row after being convicted of drug offences, is escorted by armed police officers upon arrival for his judicial review hearing at the district court in Tangerang, Indonesia. The administrative court on Monday, June 22, 2015 denied the final appeal of the French national facing execution for drug offenses. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File) FILE - In this March 11, 2015 file photo, Serge Atlaoui, center, a French national who is on death row after being convicted of drug offences, is escorted by armed police officers upon arrival for his judicial review hearing at the district court in Tangerang, Indonesia. The administrative court on Monday, June 22, 2015 denied the final appeal of the French national facing execution for drug offenses. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File)

By Associated Press June 22, 2015 2 min read

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – An Indonesian court on Monday denied the final appeal of a French national facing execution for drug offenses.

The administrative court in Jakarta said it could not overturn a presidential rejection of clemency for Serge Atlaoui, citing a lack of judicial authority.

His case has drawn national attention in France, which vigorously opposes the death penalty. Muslim majority Indonesia takes a hardline stance against drug crimes and resumed executions in 2013. So far this year it has executed 14 people convicted in drug cases.

Lawyers for Atlaoui made a last ditch appeal after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo denied clemency in December.

Presiding judge Ujang Abdullah said the court has no capacity to rule on the case since granting clemency is the prerogative right of the president.