Read full article here: [ Ссылка ]



MANILA, Philippines (AP) The Philippine president pardoned a U. S. Marine on Monday in a surprise move that will free him from imprisonment in the 2014 killing of a transgender Filipino woman that sparked anger in the former American colony. President Rodrigo Duterte said he decided to pardon Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton because the Marine was not treated fairly after opponents blocked his early release for good conduct in detention. A left-wing human rights group, Karapatan, immediately condemned the pardon as a despicable and shameless mockery of justice and servility to U. S. imperialist interests. Pemberton was convicted of homicide and has been serving a prison term of six to 10 years for the killing of Jennifer Laude in a motel in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila. His lawyer, Rowena Garcia-Flores, told The Associated Press that Pemberton was already aware of Dutertes decision when she called him. I heard the news, Garcia-Flores quoted the 25-year-old Pemberton as saying. Im very happy. PHILIPPINES DUTERTE TO CUSTOMS CHIEF: SHOOT AND KILL DRUG SMUGGLERSMeeting Pemberton in detention a few days ago, she said he expressed his willingness to apologize to the Laude family even belatedly. Pemberton would likely be removed from the Marines due to his conviction and plans to work in the U. S. , Garcia-Flores added. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who once served as a lawyer for the Laude family, said the presidential pardon would mean the immediate release of Pemberton from detention. The president has erased the punishment that should be imposed on Pemberton. What the president did not erase was the conviction of Pemberton. Hes still a killer, Roque told reporters. Laudes family denounced Dutertes action as a grave injustice, including to the LGBTQ community, family lawyer Virginia Suarez said. Duterte is one of the most vocal critics in Southeast Asia of U. S. security policies. But

свернуть