Sentenced not served for those responsible for Doha fire

Triplets Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes died in a fire at the Villagio shopping Mall in Doha Qatar. Photo / Supplied

Knowing those responsible for the deaths of their triplets have not served their prison sentences makes today - the third anniversary of New Zealand triplets killed in the Villaggio mall fire - even harder for their family.

Lillie, Jackson and Wilsher Weekes, aged just two-years-old, were killed in the mall fire in Doha, Qatar on May 28, 2012.

Their parents, Aucklanders Martin and Jane Weekes, are still fighting to see those responsible be held accountable.

The fire claimed the lives of 19 people, including the triplets who were being looked after in the Gympanzee nursery at the time.

Among those found guilty of involuntary manslaughter was Ali Bin Jasim Bin Thani who is currently Qatar's Ambassador to the European Union, and his wife, who co-owned the nursery.

The Weekes have expressed their disgust that the couple have not yet served their sentence, and have repeatedly delayed the appeal process by not showing up in court.

"We are disappointed but not surprised that Mr Al Thani is refusing to attend court," a statement from the Weekes' said.

"We continue to hope that our three children will receive justice, but today we will be reflecting on the short time we had with them."

Last month, Prime Minister John Key raised the issue in Istanbul with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamid Al Thani.

A spokeswoman from Mr Key's office said the governments would "stay in touch with each other to see the process through".

"The Emir assured the Prime Minister that he wanted to see justice done, that he is personally following the situation, and that he is committed to seeing justice for the family."

Having Mr Key's support was meaningful for the family, the statement said.