Will help Indians on death row in UAE if they appeal: SM Krishna

Seventeen Indians sentenced to death for killing a Pakistani national in UAE have been assured that the government of India will stand by them if they appeal in a higher court.

External affairs minister SM Krishna told reporters on the sidelines of a function that the consular access of the 17 persons has been obtained and the consulate in Dubai has been in touch with them.

"We have assured them that the government of India will stand by them if they appeal in higher court," he said.

The government had yesterday said it was awaiting a detailed report from its consulate in Dubai on the developments involving these Indians, majority of whom hail from Punjab.

All 17 were sentenced to death by Sharjah's Shariah court for killing a Pakistani and injuring three others in an alleged fight over illegal alcohol business.