DOHA: The embassies of major manpower exporting countries said yesterday they hoped to get the lists today or within this week at the most, of the prisoners pardoned by Qatar on the occasion of Ramadan.
The Emir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, issued a “supreme gesture”, pardoning several prisoners, Qatar News Agency reported.
This is the first Ramadan after H H Sheikh Tamim took over as Emir and this is the first Ramadan pardon he has granted to several prisoners.
It is customary for the embassies of countries whose nationals are serving jail sentences after being convicted for crimes to forward to Qatari authorities lists of the prisoners they would like to be released during Ramadan and National Day under the Emiri gesture of pardon.
The Nepalese embassy has shot off perhaps the longest list of 40 prisoners, including convicts in serious crimes. All are men.
“We sent our list a week ago and they are convicted of thefts, murders, and traffic violations,” said Harihar Kanthapeydal, Second Secretary, at the embassy.
The Indian embassy, it is learned, has recommended a few names and they include two maids serving time, convicted of immoral activity.
Not many Indians are in jail and, according to rules, the embassy cannot recommend the names of those who have not yet served half of their jail sentences, a source said.
There are no Indian juveniles in the Qatari reformatory institution and just a couple of Indians are serving terms for serious crimes, according to the source.
The Philippine Ambassador, Crescente R Relacion, said that the names of around a dozen Filipino prisoners have been suggested by the embassy for pardon.
He said that some were serving jail sentences for thefts and murders. A prisoner convicted of murder has served many years in jail, and his name has been suggested for pardon.
Vice consul at the embassy, Melvin Almonguera, said: “We just look at the years they (prisoners) have served regardless of the cases. If they have served long years we suggest their names.”
He said the embassy would normally suggest the names of prisoners who have served around 30 percent of their term.
The embassies, however, added that they hoped to see several of recommended names on the list of lucky prisoners who have been pardoned. The Peninsula
