8 Indian ex-Navy personnel get relief as Qatar commutes death sentence

A Qatar Court has reduced the death sentence given to eight ex-Indian Navy personnel in an alleged case of espionage, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. "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," said MEA.

"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 further.

The eight men were sentenced to death penalty by the Court of First Instance of Qatar in October. India, while expressing shock over the development, had said that it will contest the decision.


In August last year, these eight individuals were arrested after being charged with spying for Israel by Qatar authorities.

The Indian Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court during the hearing, 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," MEA added.

New Delhi had been granted consular access to the eight Indians and had been working to secure their release. The Indian nationals had their first trial in late March. Meetu Bhargava, who is the sister of one the officers detained and lives in Gwalior, sought help from the Indian government to bring her brother back.

"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.