Zarif congratulates Iranian charity worker on acquittal of charges in India

EghtesadOnline: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday congratulated Narges Kalbasi Ashtari, an Iranian charity worker in India, for acquittal of charges against her.

News ID: ۷۷۴۹۰۹

26 March 2017

Kalbasi Ashtari had been sentenced to one year in prison and 300,000 rupees ($4,300) in fines on alleged charges of involuntary manslaughter, a crime she said she never committed. An Indian appeal court acquitted Kalbasi Ashtari of all charges against her, according to IRNA.

Writing on his personal Instagram page, Zarif hailed the patience of Ms. Kalbasi and efforts of his colleagues at the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the popular campaign to support her.

Grown up an orphan herself, Kalbasi launched an orphanage in Rayagada in the Indian eastern state of Odisha in 2011.

Her story started in 2014 when a 5-year-old boy disappeared during a day-long picnic which was organized by Kalbasi. The boy was not part of Kalbasi children's home but his parents worked for the foundation.

Kalbasi said on her Telegram channel earlier today that she had been acquitted of the charges against her.