If the victim’s children refuse to swear in court and opt for blood money, the Filipino housemaid, who was convicted for killing her male boss in Al Ain, may survive the death sentence, according to a court.
The 28-year-old Filipina was given the death sentence in May 2015 after the Al Ain Criminal Court of First Instance found her guilty of murder, reported Khaleej Times.
The Filipina, identified as Jennifer Dalquez, appealed against the sentence with the help of officials from the Philippines Embassy, the report said.
On Monday, the Appeal Court in Al Ain was due to issue a verdict in the maid’s case, but the judge reportedly decided to postpone the ruling to a future date so the victim’s two children appear in court first and swear before he makes the final decision.
The judge will ask the deceased Emirati’s children to swear before the court 50 times, in the name of Allah, that Jennifer Dalquez is the only person they know who killed their father and not any other person, a court official reportedly said.
“And if this happens, court will uphold the decision of the First Instance Court which gives the Filipino the death penalty,” the official was quoted as saying. “But if the children refuse to swear in court, then the diya or blood money shall apply.”
The Filipina will then be ordered to pay blood money of Dh200,000 to the victim’s family in addition to serving a jail sentence, which will be decided by court, said the news portal.
Officials from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi had provided Dalquez with a defense lawyer and have also promised to continue to provide her with all possible assistance, reported Khaleej Times, adding that the judge adjourned her trial until March 27.
