Qatar reduced the death sentence of 8 Indian sailors arrested in Qatar. Finally, after the intervention of the Indian Foreign Ministry, the Appellate Court of Qatar gave this decision in which the sentences have been reduced. Moreover, the Indian Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present and appealed to the court along with the family members.
Who was arrested in Qatar?
- Captain Navtej Singh Gill
- Captain Saurabh Vasisht
- Commander Purnendu Tiwari
- Captain Birendra Kumar Verma
- Commander Sugunakar Pakala
- Commander Sanjeev Gupta
- Commander Amit Nagpal
- Sailor Ragesh
They were overseeing the introduction of Italian U212 stealth submarines into the Qatari Emiri Naval Force while working for Dahra Global in their personal capacity and not appointed by the Indian Navy.
We are with ex-servicemen from the beginning: Ministry of External Affairs
On the death sentence given in the Dahra Global case in Qatar, the Ministry of External Affairs said that we have stood with the ex-servicemen and their families since the beginning of the case. Moreover, we will continue to provide all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to raise this matter with Qatari authorities.
The issue has been discussed at various diplomatic and political levels, and India and Qatar continued to remain engaged.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the proceedings. In this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.
The Government of India had filed an appeal in Qatar
The Indian government left no stone unturned to save these ex-servicemen. For this, the government had filed an appeal in another court of Qatar against the death sentence given to the former marines.
Previously, eight former Indian Navy personnel arrested in the alleged case of espionage were given a death sentence by a court in October.
Was accused of spying for Israel
Qatar had accused the eight marines of spying for Israel. Qatar’s security agency arrested everyone on August 30. In this case, all of them were retired from the Indian Navy and worked for Al-Dahra Company in Doha. Moreover, all were accused of stealing information related to Qatar’s submarine project for Israel.