Doha airport officers who ordered forced internal medical exams of female passengers after an abandoned newborn was discovered in a rubbish bin face possible three-year prison sentences.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The physical examinations of Qatar Airways passengers bound for Sydney and nine other destinations triggered outrage in Australia.
Qatari prosecutors said an investigation had found some security officers "acted unilaterally by summoning female medical staff to conduct external examination to some female passengers, thinking that what they had done was within the law".
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told AAP on Tuesday a progress report had been received in relation to the Qatari investigations.
"The Australian government acknowledges the information provided by Qatar, and the finding of the public prosecutor that the boundaries of legal authority were exceeded," the spokesman said.
"Further details in relation to criminal charges are a matter for Qatari investigation agencies."
DFAT said the government expected a "just and proportionate accountability for those responsible".
"The Australian government has made clear to the government of Qatar that the treatment of the female airline passengers, and the examinations to which they were subjected, were grossly inappropriate and offensive."
It is expected the Qatar government will provide a further report on the incident and the measures taken to ensure it is never repeated.
The abandoned newborn's mother faces up to 15 years in prison if apprehended.
The woman apparently flew out of the country before the baby was discovered.
Prosecutors said DNA helped them identify her and the baby's father.
Australian Associated Press