Qatar court reduces death sentences of 8 ex-Indian Navy officers

The death sentence given to eight ex-Indian Navy officers given in Qatar has been commuted bringing relief to their families. The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that it was in close touch with the legal team and the families of the former officers.

New Delhi:In a major relief to the eight ex-Indian Navy officers, a court in Qatar has commuted their death sentences, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. The sentences have been reduced to jail terms.

"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....Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the 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." the MEA said in a statement on the verdict in the Dahra Global case in Qatar

The detailed judgement is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps," the MEA said.

The eight former personnel of the Indian Navy, arrested in an alleged case of espionage, were given the death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance in October. The Indian nationals, all employees of Doha-based Dahra Global, were taken into custody in August 2022. The charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities.

India had moved the Court of Appeal in Qatar against the death sentence last month. "Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," the MEA said.