SRINAGAR: A Qatar court on October 26 has issued a death sentence to eight former Indian Navy officials presently detained in the Gulf nation, The Hindu reported. Responding to the ruling, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its profound dismay and stated it is “awaiting the detailed judgment.”
The eight men, including decorated officers who have commanded major Indian warships, were working for Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. Their bail pleas were rejected numerous times and their detention was extended by Qatari authorities.
India will not intervene in the Qatari legal process concerning the eight detained former Indian Navy officials.
“We are profoundly shocked by the death penalty verdict and await the detailed judgment. We are in contact with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal avenues,” the Ministry added.
“We attach great importance to this case and have been monitoring it closely. We will continue to provide consular and legal support. We will also raise the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA statement noted, adding, “Due to the confidential nature of the proceedings in this case, it would not be suitable to offer further comment at this time.”
People familiar with the matter recently told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity that the eight men have been charged with espionage. Qatari and Indian authorities have never provided details of the charges against the men, who were held in solitary confinement for long spells. The people further said an Indian journalist and his spouse were recently ordered by Qatari authorities to leave the country for reporting on the case.
The former Indian Navy officers—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—were apprehended by Qatari intelligence services in Doha on August 30, 2022.