Death sentence for eight Indian ex-Navy personnel in Qatar

NEW DELHI: A Qatari court has sentenced eight retired Indian Navy personnel to death for alleged espionage on Israel’s behalf while working with Al Dahra, a local company involved in developing a stealth submarine.

All eight personnel, who had retired from the Indian Navy several years ago, were arrested by Qatari intelligence in August 2022 and kept under solitary confinement initially without any charges against them. At least two Qatari nationals too were also arrested.

Following the arrests, local company Al Dahra was shut down and all employees, mostly Indians, were rendered jobless. India expressed deep shock over the death sentence. The external affairs ministry said that all legal options would be explored, and the matter would be taken up with Qatar. “We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” said a statement released by the ministry in New Delhi on Thursday.

MEA said that it has received initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed a judgement in the case involving eight Indian employees of Al Dahra company. “We attach high importance to the 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 ministry said.

The Qatar government did not officially comment on the nature of charges, but it was reported that the Indians were charged with ‘spying for Israel’. The company was involved in a project to make a new class of small submarines for the Qatari Navy.

MEA, however, did not go into details of the case. “Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of the case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” it said.

The Indian Navy had earlier said that efforts were made to provide the best legal assistance possible to the veterans. The officers have a good service record, serving on frontline warships and leadership roles prior to retirement.