KATHMANDU: Seventeen Nepalis in jail for various crimes have been granted amnesty in Qatar, considering the risk posed by the COVID-19.

Emir Shiekh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar announced amnesty to some prisoners in the country considering their health condition and on humanitarian ground, according to the Nepali Embassy in Doha.

Among them are 17 Nepali nationals serving a jail sentence on offenses including drug abuse, theft, fraud and dealing in banned goods including alcohol.

Following the announcement, they will be released from various jails in Qatar.