8 Indian Navy Officers Sentenced To Death In Qatar
Eight ex-Indian Navy officers sentenced to death in Qatar on spying charges; India seeks diplomatic resolution.
Eight ex-Indian Navy officers have received the death penalty in Qatar. These officers were arrested in August 2022 in a case of spying.
Who are these 8 Indians?
These Indian Navy Officers are Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht and Sailor Rajesh Gopakumar. All of these officers are well-known and have good careers, with service records of 20 years in the Indian Navy. They had worked in some important positions, including roles as instructors in the Navy.
What were they doing in Qatar?
After taking VRS or retiring from the Navy, all eight Indians worked for a private firm, Dahra Global Technologies, and Consultancy Services, which provided training and other services for Qatar's armed forces. The company is owned by a retired officer of the Royal Oman Air Force, Khamis al-Ajmi. Ajmi too was arrested along with the Indians last year but was released in November 2022. Sources said some of the Indians on death row were working on a highly sensitive project to build Italian technology-based midget submarines. In May, Al Dahra Global closed its operations in Doha, and all those working there, mostly Indians, have since returned home.
Why were they arrested?
The eight men were arrested by Qatar's intelligence agency on 30 August 2022. Initially, they were held on "unspecified charges. Later they were charged with spying. The Qatari authorities indicated having evidence in the matter. Pakistan’s newspaper Express Tribune said they were held on charges of spying in Qatar for Israel and were identified as working for the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). However, an ANI report said the individuals may have been "framed" by Pakistan's ISI. To date, neither the Qatari authorities nor India made the charges against the Indian nationals public. Their bail petitions had been rejected several times and the verdict against them was pronounced on 26th October 2023 by the Court in Qatar.
What is India doing?
Reacting to the verdict, MEA said, "We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgment. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options. They 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.” It is learned that the families of the former Indian Navy personnel had filed a mercy plea to the Emir of Qatar. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has asked the Central govt to do everything in its power to save eight Indians. Updates are awaited in the case.
