MEA intervention frees Keralite from capital punishment

Alappuzha, Dec 20 (UNI) Timely intervention from Union Ministry of External Affairs brought a new lease of life to Jojo Joseph from Harippad in this district.

Jojo (31) was sentenced to death for entering the Holy city of Madeena in Saudi Arabia where non-Muslims are barred entry.

The execution of Jojo was slated for yesterday but the timely intervention of Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed and Opposition Leader Oomen Chandy helped in freeing Jojo from the clutches of death.

Sources said on directions of Mr Ahamed, the Indian Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia were able to convince the saudi authorities of Jojo's innocence.

Meanwhile, Ashraf (43), who was languishing in jail in Iraq, from Ambalappuzha was also freed following initiatives by the External Ministry.

He was arrested for lack of travel documents on November six by Iraqi police when he was driving a trailer, which contained essential commodities for US soldiers.

Ashraf, an employee of a US-based warehousing company, was slapped a fine of 7,000 Dinar and the company was reluctant to pay the fine.

The efforts of the Indian officials persuaded the company to pay the fine and finally he was released, sources said.

The relatives of both of them are anxiously waiting for their return to the homeland, sources added.

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