Pinoy jailed in Iran for drugs gets embassy help

abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino convicted by an Iranian court for drug possession is getting assistance from the Philippine embassy in Tehran, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

The DFA said contrary to reports, the embassy has been helping Aquino before and during his trial.

Aquino was represented by a legal counsel, while embassy officials attended the court proceedings, the department added.

“The embassy also made representations and coordination with Iranian authorities in assisting Mr. Aquino in his case,” the DFA said in a press statement.

Aquino, 26, was arrested in September 2009 at the Shiraz Airport on his way out of Iran and was found to have in his possession 5 kilos of compressed heroin, which is punishable by the death penalty.

He denied having knowledge of the content of the bag and claimed that a Nigerian friend of his asked him to pick up the bag at Toos Hotel in Mashad to be brought to the Philippines.

Aquino was convicted by the court of Shiraz in Iran in December of the same year. The court imposed on him a reduced penalty of 15 years in jail rather than life imprisonment.

The court said Aquino did not distribute the drugs, he was a mere visitor in Iran, and he may have been deceived.

“The embassy will continue to make representations for the further commutation of Mr. Aquino’s jail sentence,” the DFA said

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