Qatari emir releases 20 Sri Lankan prisoners – Details

The Emir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, issued an amnesty to 20 Sri Lankan prisoners in Doha who were involved in crimes in the country, a step that is highly controversial in Sri Lanka.

A source from the Sri Lankan community in Qatar said: “The decision came after strong international pressure on Doha to release foreigners in Qatar’s prisons, due to the disgraceful deterioration of their conditions in the country and the spread of diseases and crises there”.

The source added that one of the reasons behind these pressures is that the government fabricated charges against many prisoners, showing the failure of the security apparatus to resolve the cases and stick the alleged charges.

The source also speculated that Qatar is moving the released prisoners to Ukraine to get involved in the current global conflict.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar, headed by Ambassador Mofaz Mohiuddin, is expected to assist in the release of the prisoners.

Last week, the emir agreed to transfer 28 Iranian prisoners from Doha.

Last year, the Emir of Qatar pardoned 14 Nepalese prisoners during Ramadan after granting a general amnesty to 17 others in 2020. The Nepali Embassy in Qatar said: Some of those released were involved in petty theft.