based Indian fishermen detained in Qatar since July have had their case adjourned for a week due to the failure of some defendants to appear in court Thursday. Ja'far Al-Safwani of the Eastern Province Fishermen's Association said the judge took the decision after Qatari police failed to produce all 28 defendants in the courtroom. “The police only brought two fishermen from each of the six fishing boats, but the judge wanted all 28 fishermen to appear before the court,” Al-Safwani said. “The Saudi owners of the fishing boats also met with the judge who assured them of a positive ruling.” He added that the Saudi Ambassador to Qatar met last Monday the Saudi owners of the six fishing vessels and assured them of the likelihood of acquittal for all 28 Indian crew. Al-Safwani said he expected the case to be resolved at next Thursday's hearing. The 28 fishermen are being held on charges of having strayed into Qatar's territorial waters.
