Khotang, December 1

A fund-raising campaign has started in Khotang to save a Nepali migrant worker from Terhathum who has been languishing in a UAE  prison.

Khadga Bahadur Jogi of Terhathum, Fedap Rural Municipality-2, had reached UAE for employment about five years ago and landed in prison the next year. He was handed down a prison sentence of five years and a fine of 200,000 diram, equivalent of Rs 6.2 million, for murdering a Filipino national.

“He’ll complete his jail term come March but as he will have to still face death sentence if the blood money sought is not posted, we’re collecting fund for his release,” said Santosh Baral of Janajagaran Pratisthan Nepal, Jhapa.

The organisation has already launched similar campaigns in Jhapa, Sunsari, Chitwan and Sindhuli. Jogi’s family described

the murder case a sham. “He was framed. He was the one who rushed the Filipino to hospital after fell off a moving  vehicle,” said Jogi’s family.