New Delhi: A Qatar court has reduced the sentences of eight ex-Indian Navy personnel linked to an alleged espionage case, according to the Indian government’s announcement on Thursday.
This comes after the Court of First Instance in Qatar accepted the appeal filed by the Indian government against the death sentences given to the Navy veterans a few weeks ago.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that they are awaiting a detailed judgment, and Indian authorities are in close contact with the legal team and family members to determine the next course of action.
“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. The detailed judgement is awaited,” MEA said in an official statement.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present at the Court of Appeal today, along with 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,” it added.
WHAT IS THE CASE?
The Indian nationals, employed by the private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi publicly disclosed the alleged charges against the Indian nationals.
The Navy veterans were given death sentences by Qatar’s Court of First Instance on October 26. India expressed its profound shock at the ruling and pledged to explore all legal avenues in the case.
In response to the Qatari court’s decision, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last month stated that it is according “high importance” to this case and is exploring all legal options.
The charges were filed against the Indian nationals on March 25, and they were prosecuted under Qatari law.
Meanwhile, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, earlier this month, stated that the government is making all-out efforts to repatriate all imprisoned ex-Navy personnel from Qatar. “We are working closely to ensure that their interests are looked after,” Admiral Kumar said during a media briefing.