Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy 06/07/2010

Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy

06/07/2010 As a gesture of goodwill and as a farewell gift to a retiring Philippine ambassador, Presi-dent Mohamed Nasheed of Maldives has ordered the release of the seven overseas Filipino workers incarcerated in Maafushi Prison. The seven Filipinos, who were working in the hospitality industry in Maldives, pleaded guilty to credit card theft and fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison in February 2009. President Nasheed informed Ambassador to Bangladesh Zenaida Tacorda-Rabago, who is also non-resident envoy to Maldives and Sri Lanka, during her farewell call last month. Rabago said the embassy has long been seeking avenues for their release or deportation through the recently approved clemency law of Maldives which empowers the President to grant pardons to prisoners. Rabago also reiterated the country’s request for support for its bid for Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to President Nasheed.  The Maldivian President gladly obliged, and informed her that he will personally write the OIC Secretary-General of his country’s strong support.... MORE   Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed5.html

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