Two Indian bootleggers have been sentenced to death and nine others jailed for life by a UAE court after they were convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing two of their male compatriots.
The case dates back to 2009 where 13 defendants - 12 Indians and a Pakistani - were accused of kidnapping two Indian men, stabbing them with sharp tools. Then five of the defendants gang-raped the victims, who were buried in a hole.
The Dubai Appeal Court on Monday overturned the primary verdict, in which one man was sentenced to death and 12 others were jailed for life, the Gulf News reported.
"The court has canceled the primary judgment. Two defendants have been sentenced to death. Two other defendants will face 15 years in jail. Meanwhile, nine defendants face a life imprisonment," Judge Eisa Al Sharif ruled.
The prosecutors said the defendants buried the victims in a hole after the attack. All the convicts were additionally charged with disposing the bodies of the victims. Some of the defendants were charged with consuming liquor also.
Last March, the Dubai Court of first instance handed out one capital punishment and two life sentences.
All the accused who face imprisonments, will be deported following the completion of their jailed terms. The convicts, who were not identified by name, pleaded not guilty and rejected their charges.
An Emirati policeman had testified that they were warned that two Indian men were kidnapped as part of bootlegging rivalry between two gangs.
The verdict came weeks after 17 Indians escaped the gallows for killing a Pakistani national by paying the blood money. They are yet to return home.
