Qatar orders Bahraini fishermen to pay Dh40,000

Manama: Six Bahraini amateur fishermen have been sentenced to pay QR 40,000 (about Dh40,000) each for illegally entering Qatari waters.

The owner of the boat seized by the Qataris was told to pay an extra QR 5,000 ($1,372), the head of Bahrain's coastguards said on Thursday evening.

The verdict was issued by the Qatari first court following a plea for forgiveness by the families of the fishermen who have been held by the Qatari authorities alongside nine Bahraini fishermen, also amateurs.

The nine fishermen were last week sentenced to two years in prison, a ruling that prompted them to lodge an appeal. The court will look into the case next Thursday, the head of the coast guards said.

Adel Al Taweel, a Bahrain fisherman detained by Qatar since May 11 for entering illegally into their waters and resisting arrest, is still waiting for the necessary clearance to return home.

A court set him free, but he cannot leave Doha until his departure papers are ready.