Three Indonesian housemaids have been granted a stay of execution - Opens in new tab in Saudi Arabia. The Migrant Worker Task Force, an Indonesian agency empowered to deal with death sentences in Saudi, accompanied one released woman to Jakarta yesterday. The remaining migrants will return to Indonesia within two weeks.
The Indonesian embassy in Saudi paid the fine for Bayanah binti Bahnawi, who was accused of murdering her employer’s 4 year old son. The employer’s forgiveness, a prerequisite for her release under Saudi law, came with the payment of $14,670. Bayanah was cleared of charges in October, which led Indnoesia to question her continued imprisonment. However, Migrant Care director Anis Hidayah states that Bayanah had not received legal assistance from the government throughout her litigation. Bayanah’s father also reported difficulties - Opens in new tab in attracting his government’s attention while Bayanah underwent several hearings, though the Task Force’s last-minute efforts did prompt Saudi's amnesty.
The other two migrants, Jamilah binti Abidin Rofi’i and Neneng Sunengsih binti Mamih, were also proven innocent, but did not have to a pay fine.
Tuti Tursilawati, another Indonesian on death row, still awaits her fate. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has promised - Opens in new tab former President BJ Habibie to devote his full efforts to securing Tuti a pardon.