In a significant diplomatic achievement for India, Doha released eight Indian Navy veterans who had been sentenced to death in Qatar on Monday. This development came after New Delhi's diplomatic intervention led to the commutation of their capital punishment to extended prison terms.
Families of the Navy veterans had fervently appealed for their release and safe return home. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) assured that it would leverage all diplomatic channels and provide legal assistance to facilitate their return. Seven out of the eight former Navy officers have already returned to India, as announced by the MEA in an official statement on Monday.
The Union government issued a statement expressing gratitude for the decision to release the veterans. "The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and homecoming of these nationals."
The eight Indian nationals had been detained in Qatar since October 2022, facing allegations of spying on a submarine program. They were initially sentenced to death by a Qatari court, with the specific charges yet to be officially disclosed.
Earlier, the Qatari Court commuted the death penalty to jail terms for the ex-Indian naval officers involved in the Dahra Global case, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press statement. The detailed judgment is still awaited, and the MEA remains in close contact with the legal team in Qatar.
The Ministry emphasized, "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 judgment is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed bilateral partnership and the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during a meeting on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Mr. Jaiswal, highlighted the 60-day appeal period in the Court of Cassation in Qatar. He confirmed the possession of the confidential court order detailing the commutation of death sentences to imprisonment terms, emphasizing the abolishment of the death penalty for all individuals.
The spokesperson concluded by acknowledging the recent positive conversation on the overall bilateral relationship between Prime Minister Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to provide consular and legal assistance while continuing to engage with Qatari authorities on the matter.
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