Pinay caught in adultery in KSA saved from death penalty

A Filipino woman who was sentenced to death by stoning after being caught in adultery was saved from the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, the woman, whom it named only as "Nena," was indicted for adultery and sentenced to death by stoning on October 27, 2010. The DFA said "Nena" and other Filipino irregular workers were arrested with common-law partners in a raid on Oct. 1, 2009. "Nena admitted before the court that she has a husband in the Philippines and she has an illicit relationship with her partner in Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, illicit relationships are strictly prohibited," the DFA said. The Embassy led by now Ambassador-designate Ezzedin Tago filed an appeal in her behalf. The Appellate Court then referred the case back to the Riyadh Grand Court for the retrial of the case. The Embassy’s Assistance to Nationals Section (ANS) then monitored the case of Nena, the DFA said. On May 10, the judge reconsidered his decision and sentenced Nena to three years' imprisonment, after which she was granted royal clemency. Nena is scheduled to be repatriated to Manila shortly, the DFA said. “The assistance provided by the DFA and the Embassy to Filipino detainees is in fulfillment of the Aquino administration’s commitment in the protection of the rights and welfare of its nationals abroad," said the DFA. Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy appealed to Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia to respect and obey the laws of the Kingdom. - VVP, GMA News