Thursday, 30 November 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

2012 Doha mall fire: Key meets with Qatari Emir over triplet deaths

Claire Trevett
By
Claire Trevett
24 Apr, 2015 06:45 AM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
The Weekes triplets died in a fire at a daycare in Doha, Qatar in 2012. Photo / supplied

The Weekes triplets died in a fire at a daycare in Doha, Qatar in 2012. Photo / supplied

The New Zealand parents of triplets killed in a mall fire in Doha hope that Prime Minister John Key's efforts on their behalf will result in the recall of two of those convicted of the deaths of their children from a plum diplomatic posting to Brussels.

Mr Key met with the Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while he was in Istanbul in the lead-up to the Anzac Day commemorations and said he raised concerns held by Jane and Martin Weekes with him.

"He absolutely assured me he wanted to see justice done, that he is personally following the situation and is committed to seeing justice completed for the family. I hope the Weekes family can take some heart from that," he said.

He said the Emir had told him he had personally met with the Weekes after the fire "and he remains utterly committed to making sure those who are responsible will be held to account".

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The Weekes' triplets, Lillie, Jackson and Willsher, were among 13 toddlers killed in the fire at the Villagio mall in 2012 while at daycare.

Five people were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the 19 deaths on that day and all five had appealed. That included daycare owners, diplomat Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim Al-Thani and his wife Iman Al-Kuwari who were sentenced to six years in prison. Al Thani is serving as Qatar's ambassador to the European Union in Brussels while the appeal is underway.

Jane and Martin Weekes had asked Mr Key to convey their distress about that situation and were hopeful Mr Key had helped.

"We remain very distressed that two of the killers of our children are representing Qatar in Brussels and that they use that as an excuse not even to attend court. We hope they will soon be recalled."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

They said they understood Al Thani was entitled to appeal the conviction but did not believe it was appropriate for a person in such a position to serve in a prestigious diplomatic posting while it was heard.

They said they were grateful to Mr Key for raising it with the Emir and looked forward to learning more of the Emir's response.

Related articles

New Zealand

UN report critical of Qatari legal system

19 Jun 05:30 PM
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Thirteen fire appliances tackling blaze at Auckland refuse station

29 Nov 08:25 AM
New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori co-leader says smokefree reversal ‘systemic genocide’

29 Nov 07:54 AM
New Zealand

Focus: The White Lady faces a bun shortage

New Zealand

Restaurant axe attacker acquitted on grounds of insanity

29 Nov 07:07 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Thirteen fire appliances tackling blaze at Auckland refuse station

Thirteen fire appliances tackling blaze at Auckland refuse station

29 Nov 08:25 AM

Police and 13 fire appliances are attending an incident on the North Shore.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader says smokefree reversal ‘systemic genocide’

Te Pāti Māori co-leader says smokefree reversal ‘systemic genocide’

29 Nov 07:54 AM
Focus: The White Lady faces a bun shortage

Focus: The White Lady faces a bun shortage

Restaurant axe attacker acquitted on grounds of insanity

Restaurant axe attacker acquitted on grounds of insanity

29 Nov 07:07 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP