Qatar's Emir pardons 10 Pinoys
Ten jailed Filipinos in Qatar have been granted clemency by the Emir, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, during Qatar's National Day last month, the Philippine Embassy in Doha announced on Thursday.
In its report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the embassy said nine men and a woman were given pardons last December 18 as part of Qatar's tradition during its commemoration of its unification.
The Filipinos are now undergoing the process of repatriation in coordination with the embassy and the Ministry of Interior's Search and Follow-Up Department.
According to the embassy, those pardoned during the festivities were usually those who have already served a significant part of their sentences, including those whose cases were still being heard in court.
However, those with major crimes or offenses liable for certain punishments under Sharia law cannot be pardoned.
The Emir usually issues pardons during Qatar's Nationl Day and the holy month of Ramadan.
Qatar pardoned 12 Filipinos as a goodwill gesture last July as part of the celebrations for the sacred month. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News
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