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GNRD employees, Ghimire Gundev, a photographer
from London, left, and his colleague Krishna Upadhyaya, a researcher, were held
and detained at unknown locations. (AP Photo/GNRD, File)
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Two
Britons, Krishna Upadhyaya, 52, and Ghimire Gundev, 36, who both work for Global
Network for Rights and Development, GNRD, detained in Qatar while researching
migrant worker issues in the Gulf state that is due to host the 2022 World Cup
have been released, the rights group that employs them said Tuesday, AP reports.
GRAPHITTI
NEWS had reported their detention two days ago.
Researcher
Upadhyaya and photographer Gundev went missing in the Qatari capital of Doha on
Aug. 31 as they were preparing to leave the country. Qatari authorities
confirmed Saturday they were arrested for unspecified violations of Qatari law.
GNRD
said that they have been set free but have not yet left Qatar. It said it does
not have details on the reason for their detention.
"The
news is a fantastic relief for the families ... and all those who have been
following the case," the group said in a statement, adding that it spoke
to Upadhyaya on Monday night and that both men are doing well.
GNRD
is based in Stavanger, Norway, and describes itself on its website as a neutral
organization set up in 2008 to promote human rights and development.
It
has been critical of Qatar's treatment of migrant workers in the past. Qatar,
like other Gulf Arab states, relies on vast numbers of mainly Asian low-paid
migrant workers. Labor rights activists have raised concerns about dangerous
working conditions, allegations of unpaid salaries and other abuses since Qatar
won the right to host the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar has said the men were
arrested for "having violated the provisions of the laws of the state of
Qatar." Officials in Doha had no immediate comment on the men's release.
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