UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

 Russian and Ukranian face execution for gem heist murder in Dubai

 Dubai's appeal court has upheld death sentences on a Russian and a Ukranian for murdering an Indian jeweller and making off with 1. 4-million-dollars worth of gems, the Gulf Today newspaper said Wednesday.

 Ukranian Seefred Andre, 28, and 24-year-old Russian Sergei Doboni stabbed Arvind Das, 37, from Gujarat, to death in July 2001 and stole diamonds and precious stones valued at more than 5 million dirhams.

 Das was left to bleed to death on the floor of the shop in Dubai's gold souk or market, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the emirate.

 The Russian had previously been employed as a part-time salesman at the shop and was caught after being identified by an office boy who had served drinks to the 3 men.

 Under Islamic law enforced in the UAE, a murderer can be saved from the firing squad if the victim's next of kin drop demands for the death penalty in return for diya (blood money).

 The court also upheld a 3-year prison term to be followed by deportation for 2 women from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan for suppressing evidence and helping the men hide from police in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah.