New Delhi: In a shocking development on Thursday, a Qatar court on October 26, handed the death sentence to eight former officers of the Indian Navy. "We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgment. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options," the MEA said in a statement.
"We attach high importance to this case and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities," the statement added.
The eight decorated Indian Navy officers were detained in the Gulf country for over a year and this judgment is a major shock to New Delhi. The officers were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar's armed forces.
It is pertinent to note that their bail pleas were rejected several times and their detention was extended by the Qatari authorities. The Indian nationals were taken into custody in August last year in an alleged case of espionage. The charges against the Indian nationals were not made public by Qatari authorities. In its reaction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is attaching "high importance" to this case and is exploring all legal options.
"We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgment in the case involving eight Indian employees of Al Dahra company," it said. "We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgment. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options," it said.
"Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," it added. The MEA said it will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance to the Indians. India's ambassador to Qatar met the men in prison on October 1 after being granted consular access. (With agency inputs)
