Qatar : Appeal to be filed over Doha mall fire acquittals

 

Lillie, Jackson, and Willsher Weekes died in the fire at the Villagio shopping Mall in Doha, Qatar. Photo / Supplied

The Attorney General in Qatar has ordered prosecutors to file an appeal of a court verdict that acquitted all the defendants in the Villagio Mall fire, that killed Kiwi triplets.
Two-year-old Lillie, Jackson and Wilsher Weekes perished when a fire ripped through the daycare centre they attended in 2012. The centre was in a the Villagio Mall in Doha.

Martin Weekes and Jane Weekes, the parents of the Kiwi triplets who died in the fire. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Sixteen others, many of them children, also died.
Last month a Qatari judge threw out the convictions of four people convicted of involuntary manslaughter and a public servant charged with forgery in relation to the blaze.
That ruling meant none of the five, who included the childcare co-owners, Villagio mall chairman and manager, will serve any jail time over the devastating fire.

But state news agency QNA and Doha News have tonight reported that Qatar's Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fetais al Marri instructed that last month's judgement be brought to Qatar's highest court, the Court of Cassation.
Dr al Marri assigned prosecutors for the Court of Cassation prepare a document that outlines the reasons for the appeal verdict. He wants the document presented to him before it is filed in court.
Last month Jane and Martin Weekes, parents of the triplets, said they were devastated at the verdict.