8 Former Indian Navy Officers Sentenced To Death In Qatar, MEA Says ‘Deeply Shocked’

Last year, the eight former Indian Navy officers were jailed in Qatar on charges that have not been made public.

Updated on: 26 October 2023 11:37 am

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

Eight former Indian Navy personnel, arrested by Qatari authorities in August last year, have been sentenced to death.

The former eight officers have been reportedly charged with espionage, however both India and Qatar haven't spelled out details of charges against them.?

Reacting on the development, Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said: "We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options.”

It added: “We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities.”

“Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,"it said.?
Earlier, the Indian officers were jailed on charges that have not been made public.

The first hearing in their trial was held on March 29. The family sources have also reportedly said they had not been informed of the formal charges under which the trial is being held, either by Qatari authorities or by Indian officials who have had consular access with the prisoners.

The men were picked up by Qatari State Security personnel on the night of August 30 last year.?

They have been held in solitary confinement since then, and there is no public information of the charges against them. Their families have been urging New Delhi to secure their expeditious release.

The eight veterans — Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Purenendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal and Sailor Ragesh — were working at Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a defence services provider company owned by an Omani national, a retired squadron leader of the Royal Omani Air Force, IE report mentioned.

It added Omani national too was arrested along with the eight Indians, but was released in November.
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