Qatar: Two British Researchers Investigating World Cup Labour Conditions Released Unharmed

Qatar has confirmed the release of the two British employees of the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD), who had mysteriously disappeared while investigating the working conditions of migrant Nepalese workers involved in the construction projects of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev were in Qatar since 27 August working on a report for GNRD and researching on the state of the Nepalese migrant workers.

Upadhyaya's wife, Sarita Poudyal, spoke to Gulf News today (9 September) and said:

"They were released at 12:30am, he called me and said he had been let go and then updated his Facebook to inform his friends. We're so relieved because you never know what can happen in these situations. They are staying at [a hotel] in Doha and said they'll be home in two days time but didn't confirm a date and time."

Upadhyaya also posted an update on his Facebook page last night (8 September) saying, "Just released, will fly in two days' time!"

The pair were scheduled to fly out of Doha on 31 August and had checked out of their hotels, however, they never made it to their flights.

A Foreign Ministry statement released on the Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported on Saturday (6 September) that they are being held by authorities for violating the "laws of the State of Qatar."

GNRD confirmed the news on their website on 9 September, saying: "The news is a fantastic relief for the families, friends and all those who have been following the case during the past eight days. GNRD still has no details why Krishna Upadhyaya and Gundev Ghimire were kept for this period without any access to their families or lawyers."

According to GNRD, over 50,000 people pledged their support for the pair in the public campaign launched to bring back Krishna Upadhyaya and Gundev Ghimire.