FEBRUARY 6, 2005:
PAKISTAN:
B'deshi death sentence fugitive gets amnesty
A Bangladeshi man who surrendered to police 22 years after being sentenced
to hang for a double murder has been granted a presidential amnesty,
officials said Saturday.
Mohiuddin Jintu, who was sentenced to his death in his absence in 1982,
surrendered to police in January and has now been released and given
amnesty by the president, director of Dhaka Central Jail Kamrul Islam told
AFP. Jintu had apparently spent the past 2 decades in Sweden, a report
in the English language Daily Star said.
Three others were given the death penalty for the killing of 2 businessmen
following a political feud. 1 man was hanged while 2 others are still
at large.
Last month, Jintus mother submitted a petition for clemency to a judge
saying her son had fallen victim to political vindictiveness and conspiracy.
(source: The Daily Times)
PHILIPPINES:
Gov't to appeal death sentence on Filipino worker
Saturday said the Philippine Government will appeal for a lesser sentence
for Edgar Puzone, who was sentenced to death in Brunei for murdering is
Filipino Muslim girlfriend 2 years ago.
"We shall exhaust all legal and diplomatic measures in appealing for a
lesser sentence for our convicted national, and to ensure that his rights
are protected under the laws of the host country," Press secretary and
presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
Puzone, 50, was slapped with the death penalty for killing Vilma Taalal
Misal, 25, on May 27, 2003 at the Senja Rasa Restaurant in Jalan Tutong.
Puzone reportedly has a history of psychiatric problems and is being
treated with anti-psychotic medicines but the court was satisfied that the
murder was premeditated.
Bunye said government is closely watching the cases of Filipinos with
criminal cases in other lands. "Their welfare and rights are our paramount
concern," he said.
(source: Sun Star)
