Indian court acquits British-Iranian aid worker in child's death
Source: Xinhua   2017-03-27 08:55:39

NEW DELHI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- An Indian court in eastern state of Odisha has acquitted a British-Iranian woman aid worker accused of negligence causing death of a five-year-old tribal boy.

The court said charge against Narges Kalbasi Ashtari, who was convicted in 2014 and jailed for a year was "trumped up".

"The court yesterday said the charge against Asthari was fabricated and she can claim compensation from the State Government for the harassment that she went through for over two years," a court official said on Sunday.

In November 2014, a case against 28-year-old Ashtari was registered in Rayagada district over Asim Jilakara disappearance from a picnic that her foundation had organized. Jilakara was among the six children washed away while taking bath in the river Nagavalli. Though five children were rescued Jilakara was not found. It is believed Jilakara drowned in river and was swept away by a strong current. His body could not be fished out from the river.

Ashtari had been sentenced to a year in jail by a trial court for causing the death, a charge she strongly denied. She filed an appeal to the trial court's order and was on bail pending the outcome in appellate court. Ashtari was banned from leaving India during her legal battle.

Jilakara's parents were also working in the foundation that organized the picnic.

"The court observed that it was the responsibility of the boy's parents to look after his safety at the picnic site and Asthari cannot be accused of negligence," the official said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the acquittal in a post on his Instagram account.

"I felt happy about the news of the acquittal of the benevolent Iranian lady Ms Kalbasi. Greatest congratulations to Ms Kalbasi and regards for her because of her patience and perseverance, and thanks to colleagues and (the Iranian) people's campaign in her support."

Ashtari was born in Iran but later moved to Britain. Her friends supported her fight by launching online campaigns seeking justice to Ashtari.

In 2011, she moved to India's Odisha and established a foundation to work for the welfare of orphaned children.

Editor: Mengjie
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Indian court acquits British-Iranian aid worker in child's death

Source: Xinhua 2017-03-27 08:55:39
[Editor: huaxia]

NEW DELHI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- An Indian court in eastern state of Odisha has acquitted a British-Iranian woman aid worker accused of negligence causing death of a five-year-old tribal boy.

The court said charge against Narges Kalbasi Ashtari, who was convicted in 2014 and jailed for a year was "trumped up".

"The court yesterday said the charge against Asthari was fabricated and she can claim compensation from the State Government for the harassment that she went through for over two years," a court official said on Sunday.

In November 2014, a case against 28-year-old Ashtari was registered in Rayagada district over Asim Jilakara disappearance from a picnic that her foundation had organized. Jilakara was among the six children washed away while taking bath in the river Nagavalli. Though five children were rescued Jilakara was not found. It is believed Jilakara drowned in river and was swept away by a strong current. His body could not be fished out from the river.

Ashtari had been sentenced to a year in jail by a trial court for causing the death, a charge she strongly denied. She filed an appeal to the trial court's order and was on bail pending the outcome in appellate court. Ashtari was banned from leaving India during her legal battle.

Jilakara's parents were also working in the foundation that organized the picnic.

"The court observed that it was the responsibility of the boy's parents to look after his safety at the picnic site and Asthari cannot be accused of negligence," the official said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the acquittal in a post on his Instagram account.

"I felt happy about the news of the acquittal of the benevolent Iranian lady Ms Kalbasi. Greatest congratulations to Ms Kalbasi and regards for her because of her patience and perseverance, and thanks to colleagues and (the Iranian) people's campaign in her support."

Ashtari was born in Iran but later moved to Britain. Her friends supported her fight by launching online campaigns seeking justice to Ashtari.

In 2011, she moved to India's Odisha and established a foundation to work for the welfare of orphaned children.

[Editor: huaxia]
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