In a significant development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that the Court of Appeal in Doha has reduced the sentences of eight former Indian Navy personnel who were facing the death penalty in Qatar. The reduced sentences come in the high-profile Dahra Global case, where the individuals were accused and sentenced without clear details provided by the court.
The MEA issued a statement expressing their awareness of the verdict, stating, “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 judgment is awaited.” The ministry did not provide specific information on the court’s findings.
India’s Ambassador to Qatar, alongside officials and family members of the incarcerated ex-Navy personnel, were present during the Court of Appeal proceedings. The MEA emphasized its longstanding support for the individuals involved, asserting, “We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities.”
The legal saga began in October when a Qatari court handed down the death penalty to the eight former Navy personnel. Among the detainees were decorated officers who had commanded major Indian warships. They were employed by Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm providing training and services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies.
Despite multiple bail pleas being rejected and their detention extended, the MEA expressed deep shock at the imposition of the death penalty. Anonymous sources revealed that the individuals were charged with espionage, although the government has not officially disclosed the charges.
MEA spokesperson Arindham Bagchi provided an update earlier this month, stating, “There have been two hearings. We filed an appeal, with the families, and the detainees had a final appeal. Two hearings have since been held. One was on November 30th, and the other was on November 23rd. I think the next hearing is coming up soon.”
The reduction in sentences follows a recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, in Dubai. The diplomatic discussions may have played a role in the positive outcome for the former Navy personnel, whose fate has been a cause for concern.
As the Indian government awaits the detailed judgment, the global community watches closely as legal proceedings unfold, hoping for a fair and just resolution to this high-stakes case.