4 stuck in jail over diya money

Four Asian construction workers have been in an Abu Dhabi jail for nearly 16 months although they were sentenced to one year as they failed to pay diya (blood money) to the relatives of a friend who died because of their negligence.

The three Indians and one Pakistani were convicted by Abu Dhabi’s criminal court of killing their friend by mistake after they failed to take him to hospital when he fell down from a 20-metre high construction site during illegal work.

The four told court they took their injured friend to their place to avert punishment for their violation of local laws by working for another employer on their day off in order to increase their income.

“The court found them guilty of unintentional killing of their friend and sentenced them to one year in prison to be followed by deportation…it also ordered them to pay Dh160,000 diya to the victim’s family,” Emirat Alyoum daily said.

“An appeals court upheld that verdict but they have remained in jail nearly 16 months after they were sentenced for being unable to pay diya.”

Emirat Alyoum said it join hands with the interior ministry to appeal for financial help for the four so they can pay diya and regain their freedom to go back home.

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