Eight former Indian Navy officers who had been detained since August 2022 on unclear allegations were given the death penalty by a Qatar court on Thursday. The Indian government expressed amazement at the decision and stated that it is "exploring all legal options."
The Court of First Instance in Qatar imposed the sentence, and Doha officials did not formally disclose any information about it. Due to the "confidential nature of proceedings" in the case against the eight men, the external affairs ministry refuses to say further.
The eight former sailors were employed by Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private company run by an ex-Oman Air Force officer that offered security agencies and the country's armed forces training as well as other services.
The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement stating that New Delhi was notified first that the Court of First Instance in Qatar had rendered a decision on the issue of the eight Indian workers of Al Dahra.
"We are awaiting the entire ruling and are really surprised by the death penalty verdict. Without providing specifics, the statement added, "We are investigating all legal options and are in contact with the family members and the legal team." This matter is very important to us, and we have been keeping a close eye on it. We will keep providing all legal and consular support. We intend to discuss the ruling with the authorities in Qatar as well," the statement stated.
On March 29, the trial's first hearing took place. However, family sources claimed that neither Qatari authorities nor Indian officials who have had consular access with the inmates had notified them of the formal allegations under which the trial is being held, despite the fact that rumors regarding the accusations against the Navy veterans had been circulating.
The MEA had announced on April 6 that the men would receive legal support from the Indian government.
The eight Indians had been granted consular access to New Delhi, which had been attempting to arrange for their release. Late in March, the Indian nationals had their first trial. Meetu Bhargava, a resident of Gwalior and the sister of one of the imprisoned officers, approached the Indian government for assistance in rescuing her brother.
She had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in in a post on X on June 8.
"These former Navy officers are the pride of the country, and once more, I humbly ask our Honorable Prime Minister to please, with folded hands, bring them all back to India right now, without further delay. @narendramodi @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @MOS_MEA She wrote on X, "
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