Indians serving jail terms in Qatar

Doha, Jan 20 (UNI) Twenty-nine Indians, including ten women, are serving jail terms here after being convicted of various crimes.

Among them are two male prisoners convicted for murder. Their case is in for an appeal in a higher court, according to media reports.

The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad had last October pardoned eight Indian prisoners during the holy month of Ramadan. They are Devasu Joniaban, F Pilakhal, T S Yana Rajan, P K Nidan, Samay Kanan, Zubair Pathicherry, Syed Asim Afzal and Ppakti Sanjeev. However, they are yet to be released.

The procedure for the release usually takes time as formalities like preparing travel documents have to be undertaken.

The reports further state that 146 Indians are serving in various detention centres as they await their deportation.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy has claimed that 182 Indians died in Qatar in 2006.

UNI