Release of five Indians likely to hanging fire

Dubai, July 28 (UNI) Five Indian fishermen, jailed in Qatar, are unable to leave even though some of them have served their terms.

The Bahrain-based fishermen, who are unable to pay the fines, were caught by the Qatari Coast Guard and jailed last November for straying into its territorial waters.

One of the fishermen Faisal Chathoth, from Vadakara in Kerala, is facing a year in jail and a fine of Qatari Rial 100,000. If he is unable to pay the fine, he will have to spend another six months behind bars.

Joseph Aiachaamy, from Tamil Nadu, faces a similar plight while Dasan Amalraj, also from Tamil Nadu, jailed last November has a six month jail term and a Qatari Rial 50,000 fine.

Basuman Kashinathan and Kanthisamaya Kannan from Tamil Nadu have already served their jail terms but have not been released since they cannot pay their fines.

All the five fishermen, who were caught at night, claimed they entered Qatari waters unintentionally and in the darkness could not read the navigation instruments.

There are 31 Indian prisoners in Qatar of whom 24 are men and seven are women. While one of the women faces charges of killing her mother, most others face drug trafficking charges, according to diplomatic sources.

Ambassador George Joseph said the embassy would take up the issue with local authorities and said officials would make more frequent visits to the jail and deportation centre to inquire about Indians' welfare.

UNI XC SI RS1958