A court on Monday ordered the release of four of the seven Indian fishermen who were arrested by the coast guard of Qatar on charges of violating that country’s territorial waters.
The seven fishermen from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu were working in Bahrain.
Indian embassy officials attended the court proceedings in Qatar on Monday. The court released four fishermen — Rebiston, Praveen, Suresh and Vineeth — and they were sentenced to of 36 days in prison. They were released as they had already spent 36 days in prison.
On completion of necessary deportation formalities, they would be sent back to Bahrain. Their sponsor is also following up the matter with local authorities for their early deportation, according to embassy officials.
The remaining three fishermen — Valan, Kuttan and Sajjan – will be produced in the court on August 17.
P Justin Antony of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Development Trust, who has been communicating with the embassy officials in this regard, said the release was a great relief to families who were struggling for a livelihood with their bread winners in custody. “We are grateful to the Indian government for taking steps to secure their release,” he said.
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