Kuwait appellate court affirms conviction of OFW Ranara’s killer

Jullebee Ranara

MANILA, Philippines – The State of Kuwait’s Appeal Court has affirmed the guilty verdict and conviction of the killer of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Jullebee Ranara in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Wednesday evening. 

In a statement, DMW said the State of Kuwait’s Appeal Court fully adopted the guilty verdict and sentence against 17-year-old Turki Ayed Al-Azmi of 1 year imprisonment for driving without a license and 15 years imprisonment for murder

The body of Ranara, a household service worker, was burned and buried in the desert on January 21, 2023.

Autopsy reports likewise showed that she was pregnant.

“We have informed the Ranara family of the Court’s ruling and have assured them of our continued utmost support and assistance, as directed by the President,” said DMW Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac. 

Meanwhile, Cacdac added that he has instructed the country’s Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait to “work with our retained legal counsel” in filing a civil action for damages against the father of the convicted killer.

‘Jail sentence too lenient’

 Emor Reyes, 28, a brother of  Ranara, earlier told INQUIRER.net that their family is happy now that a court in Kuwait has convicted the migrant worker’s killer. 

But while the development is welcomed, Reyes admitted that the jail sentence is not enough.