OFW found guilty of murder executed in Saudi Arabia
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2019 08:17:00 +0000
FLAG of Saudi Arabia
A 39-year-old Filipino household service worker was executed for murder in Saudi Arabia Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed Thursday.
The DFA explained that the government was not able to save the Filipino service worker from death after the Saudi Supreme Judicial Council classified her case “as one in which blood money does not apply under Shariah law.”
Under Shariah Law, blood money is compensation given to the family of murder victims. The family will execute an affidavit of forgiveness so that death penalty will not be carried out on the accused should they accept it.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato declined to provide additional information on the Filipino’s identity, as well as the murder case she was involved in, citing the request for privacy of her next of kin.
According to Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Adnan Alonto, the embassy has provided her with legal assistance to represent her in all stages of trial and has provided her family in the Philippines regular updates about her case. In addition, representatives were sent to visit her in Saudi jail, he added.
The agency extended condolences to her bereaved family.
The Filipino’s execution is the second in two years after Jakatia Pawa in Kuwait on Jan. 25, 2017. Pawa, who was executed by hanging, was buried the day after in Kuwait.
The DFA has yet to issue information if the remains of the executed Filipino from Saudi Arabia will be repatriated soon. (PNA and Roy Mabasa)