03 December 2007 :

two expatriates, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, India, were sentenced to death on charges of murdering a security guard in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The Union Minister for Overseas Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, directed the Indian Consul General in UAE, Venu Rajamony, to provide legal assistance to the accused persons. Based on the information he received from the Consul General, the Minister clarified that only two out of the six persons presently jailed were sentenced to death while others received three year prison sentence. Six persons, hailing from Armoor and Jakranpalli mandals in Nizamabad, left for UAE on visiting visa four years ago. They were picked up by UAE police on charges of allegedly murdering a security guard last year and are languishing in Mudira jail. Responding to a memorandum submitted by the Nizamabad MP Madhu Yaskhi, Mr Vayalar Ravi directed officials in the UAE to inquire into the case. “The Indian Consul General was asked to hire a legal team to assist the six persons to fight the case in higher court,” Mr Madhu Yaskhi said.