DOHA (QATAR), JUL 11 - A Qatari court sentenced a Nepali migrant worker to three years in jail and imposed a fine of 205,000 riyal (around Rs 4.9 million) for carrying bhang (a preparation from the leaves and seeds of cannabis plants).
Lok Bahadur GC from Baglung district was arrested with the drug and snack foods at the Doha international airport during a checkup on December 26 while returning to Nepal.
GC, a driver in Doha, said two handfuls of bhang along with some snack items such as soyabean, rice and honey were sent to him by his sister-in-law for her son working in the Gulf country.
He was kept in an anti-drug cell at the airport for two days and was freed on 1000 riyal (Rs 24,000) bail. The Doha-based court issued verdict against GC on May 31. However, GC appealed later, defending himself on June 14 through a Qatari advocate. He paid the lawyer 12,000 riyal (around Rs 288,000) to fight his case. The appellate court summoned GC before it on September 3.
He also appealed to the Nepali Embassy in Qatar to initiate a process to grant him general amnesty as bhang is not an illegal and used to prepare home-made pickle in Nepal.
He also sent a letter to the Baglung District Administration Office seeking a proof that bhang is not an illegal drug. The embassy said that it has received a letter from the DAO, saying that bhang is used to prepare home-made pickle and also used in religious functions and it will take necessary steps in this case.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/11/top-story/qatar-court-sentences-nepali-to-3-yrs-in-jai/356915/
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