New Delhi shocked at UAE death sentence to 17 Indians

India on Tuesday described as 'shocking' the death sentence given to 17 Indians in the United Arab Emirates for killing a Pakistani and pledged to provide all legal help to them.

The Indian Consulate General in Dubai has sought consular access to these Indians and is seeking a copy of the judgment of Sharjah's Shariah court that sentenced them.

The men were accused of killing a Pakistani and injuring three Pakistanis following a row over illegal alcohol business.

'We will give them consular assistance and we will also try to find out in what other ways we can help them out to file an appeal in the higher court,' External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said.

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi added: '(We will) see that everything is done and give an important lawyer and also financial assistance to the accused. Definitely, we will try to help these people who are in need of government help.

'The death sentence is rather shocking. We have decided to give maximum possible help to them,' he said. “Whenever information is required about the incarceration of Indian nationals, consular access is sought by the consulate,' the consulate said in a statement. 'Information about such detention is conveyed to the family members where required. In the case of destitute, legal advice is arranged,' it said.

The consulate pointed that the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates was overwhelmingly law abiding and their contribution was widely recognised and appreciated.

According to the Khaleej Times, a UAE daily, Judge Yousuf Al Hamadi sentenced the 17 men to death after all evidence, including DNA tests, showed they had knifed the Pakistani to death. Three Pakistanis were injured but managed to flee following the attack, over control of the clandestine liquor business in Sharjah's Al Saaja area. Police picked up the 17 from a group of around 50 involved in the assault.

The 17 facing death are expected to appeal against their sentence within the next 15 days, the sources said.

- Asian Tribune -