New Delhi
29 March 2010
New Delhi will extend legal assistance to the 17 Indians sentenced to death
by a court in Sharjah for killing a Pakistani man. According to reports, this could be the
highest number of death sentences handed down at one time in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE).
Speaking to this newspaper from Kerala where he is currently undergoing medical
treatment, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the Indian consulate in
Dubai has been told to provide all possible help to the 17 men, a majority of whom are
understood to be from Punjab.
Mr Ravi said the Consulate General of India has sought consular access to the men, and
it is likely to be granted "within a day or two". Describing the sentencing as "rather
shocking," the minister noted that legal avenues are being explored.
According to a report published by the Khaleej Times newspaper on Monday, the 17
Indians were sentenced to death by Sharjah's Shariah Court for killing a Pakistani man
and injuring three others in 2009 after a dispute over illegal liquor business in the UAE.
Judge Yousuf Al Hamadi pronounced the sentence of death after all evidence, including
DNA tests, showed they had knifed the Pakistani national to death.
The attack in January 2009 followed a fight over the control of the illegal liquor business
in Al Sajaa area of Sharjah.
The newspaper report said the suspects had attempted to kill three other Pakistani
nationals, but they managed to escape and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
About 50 people were involved in the attack. The 17 Indians who allegedly led the attack
were rounded up by the police. The others were let off due to a lack of evidence.
Sale of alcohol is completely banned in Sharjah, unlike the other six Emirates that make
up the UAE -- Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Umm al Quwain and Ajman.
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