Relief for 8 Indian Navy veterans on death row in Qatar as court reduces punishment

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Dec 28, 2023: A Qatar court has reduced the death sentences awarded to eight former Indian Navy personnel last month in connection with an alleged case of espionage, the Indian government said on Thursday.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said the Court of Appeal of Qatar reduced the death sentences in the Dahra Global case. It, however, didn’t specify what the court said, adding that a detailed judgement in the matter is awaited.

The development comes weeks after Qatar’s Court of First Instance accepted an appeal filed by the Indian government against the death sentence awarded to the Navy veterans.

Notably, Indian authorities are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.

"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced. The detailed judgement is awaited," MEA said in an official statement.

"Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present at the Court of Appeal today, along with family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter, and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," it added.

WHAT IS THE CASE?

The Indian nationals, who worked with a private company, Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.

The Navy veterans were awarded death sentences by Qatar’s Court of First Instance on October 26. India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case.

In its reaction to the ruling by the Qatari court, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last month said that it is attaching "high importance" to this case and is exploring all legal options.

The charges were filed against the Indian nationals on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law.

Meanwhile, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, earlier this month, said that the government is putting all-out efforts to bring back all incarcerated ex-Navy personnel from Qatar. "We are working closely to ensure that their interests are looked after," Admiral Kumar said at a media briefing.

Courtesy: India Today