The Indian government has revealed that 25 Indian nationals have been sentenced to death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but their executions have not yet taken place. This information was shared by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Singh also provided details about Indian prisoners in foreign countries. Currently, there are 10,152 Indian prisoners, including those awaiting trial, in foreign jails. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian citizens abroad, including those in foreign jails.

The data shared by Mr Singh reveals that many Indian nationals have been sentenced to death in different countries. This includes 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the US, and Yemen.

The Indian government has been assisting those facing the death penalty by helping them explore legal options, such as filing appeals and mercy petitions. "Indian Missions/Posts abroad provide all possible assistance to Indian nationals who have been sentenced, including those facing the death penalty," Mr Singh said. He added that these missions also ensure consular access by visiting prisoners and following up on their cases with courts, jails,public prosecutors, and other authorities.

Responding to a query about Indian nationals executed in foreign countries over the past five years, Mr. Singh said such cases have been reported in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, three Indians were executed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while one was executed in Zimbabwe. In 2023, five Indians were executed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and one in Malaysia.

Regarding the UAE, Mr Singh mentioned that there is no official data on executions, as UAE authorities do not share such information. However, based on informal sources, no Indian nationals have been executed in the UAE between 2020 and 2024.

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