17 Indian bootleggers on death row win reprieve

Sharjah: Seventeen Indian bootleggers facing death sentence for killing a Pakistani have won a reprieve when the family of the deceased agreed to pardon them if they were compensated.

If the convicts fail to pay compensation they will be executed, according to India Abroad News Service.

A total of 17 Indians, 16 from Punjab and one from Haryana, were sentenced to death by the Sharjah Sharia Court of First Instance in March 2010 for killing the Pakistani and injuring three others in January 2009 following a fight over illegal liquor business.

The murder took place in Al Saja'a area of Sharjah.

The victim's family during previous hearing had refused any settlement and wanted the convicts to be executed as ruled by the court.

The Court of Appeal adjourned the hearing to February 17 after a representative of the victim's family presented the fresh request.