as he says in his blog.

This country has progressed because of 2 things : Oil and Gas

He tried to sell data regarding those things. Old data doesn't mean it is not usable or pertinent data.
Many of us work for a company and we know that it is a crime to sell company data (or intellectual property) or even possessing company secrets not supposed to be with you whether you want to sell it or not. Any company will terminate such employee and sue him for the damage his action will bring or has brought to the company.

In this regard he betrayed QP and Qatar for that matter. He is just serving the sentence that was imposed for such a crime.

If he is to be pardoned, then it is up to the leaders of Qatar.