An appeal court in Qatar has upheld the death sentence imposed on a Jordanian journalist convicted of spying. Firas al-Majali, 30, a reporter for the state-owned Qatar Television, was arrested in January 2002 for allegedly spying and passing information about Qatar to Jordan. Qatari officials said Majali sent details to Jordan on the status of US troops in Qatar, along with economic and social data.

Following the appeal court ruling, the sentence will be forwarded to Qatari Emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who has the power to issue a pardon.

Majali's father, former Jordanian Information Minister Nasuh Majali, said he put his trust in the Sheik Hamad's mercy.
"If the court failed to render justice to my son, I hope the emir will," he said.

Diplomatic Row

Qatari law only allows two outcomes in espionage cases - acquittal or death.

Majali was sentenced in October last year, at a time when diplomatic relations between Jordan and Qatar were strained.

Jordan recalled its ambassador to Qatar after al-Jazeera television, based in Qatar, broadcast a programme that was highly critical of the Jordanian royal family.

Relations have since thawed and the ambassador, Omar al-Amad, returned in November, and the leaders of the two countries met in Paris in January.

PHOTO CAPTION

Sheik Hamad has the power to issue a pardon