By IANS,
New Delhi: The government will do everything to support the 17 Indian citizens, who have been sentenced to death by a court in Sharjah for killing a Pakistani man, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said Monday.
Ravi, who is currently undergoing Ayurvedic treatment in Thrissur, Kerala, told IANS over phone that the government has already written to the consulate general asking him to provide all legal help to the Indians.
“We will do everything to support them. The consular general has been asked to provide all legal assistance to the Indians,” Ravi said, adding he has sought a report from the secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, on the incident.
Seventeen Indians were sentenced to death Sunday for killing a Pakistani man and injuring three others in January 2009 following a fight over illegal liquor business.
The murder took place in Al Sajaa area of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
Judge Yousuf Al Hamadi sentenced the Indians after evidence, including DNA tests, showed they had knifed the Pakistani to death, the Khaleej Times reported on its website.
The victim died of wounds after being stabbed repeatedly in various parts of the body. He also suffered brain damage, police said.
The Indians had also attempted to kill three of the victim’s compatriots who, however, managed to escape. The convicted men are aged between 17 and 30.
According to the three Pakistanis who survived, 50 people attacked them with knives. Police intervened and arrested the Indians, who led the attack. The others were let off due to lack of evidence.
The identity of the Indians was not disclosed.