NEW DELHI: The external affairs ministry on Thursday said India has noted the verdict of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global ‘espionage’ case, in which the sentences have been reduced.
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.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, 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,” said the ministry.
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, it added.
Arrested in spy case, given death sentence
Eight retired Indian Navy members were sentenced to death by a court in Qatar in October, a verdict that had “deeply shocked” India.
The retired officers, who were arrested in August 2022, are Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar.
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The intelligence agency of Qatar had apprehended the individuals on charges of espionage, reportedly on behalf of Israel. These individuals were employed by Dahra Global Technologies, a defense services provider.
Since their arrest, they have been subjected to solitary confinement, denied the opportunity for bail, and faced a death sentence., which has now been reduced.
(This is a developing story)
