Court rejects appeal for ‘reduction of fines’ in Villaggio fire case
On Tuesday, Qatar's Court of Cassation rejected an appeal for a reduction of fines and penalties by the defendants in the Villaggio fire case, reported Gulf Times.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal had instructed defendants to collectively pay blood money of QR200,000 to each victim. The money was to be paid to the legal inheritors of the deceased.
The ruling by the Court of Cassation is conclusive and final and no more appeal can be made against the decision.
The Villaggio Mall fire was the worst tragedy in Qatar’s history, leaving 19 dead including 13 children, four staff of Gympanzee daycare and two firemen.
In October, 2015, a Doha court of appeal acquitted five persons, who were held responsible by a trial court for the deadly fire. However, the judge had ruled the company that owns the shopping centre was guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Can we now assume that this tragic saga is at an end and the families can have closure ?