HT Digital,
New Delhi, Oct 26: A Qatari court on Thursday issued death sentences to eight former Indian Navy personnel who had been detained in the country for over a year.
The Indian government has expressed profound shock at the verdict, stating it is considering all possible legal actions. “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,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
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While the MEA emphasised the importance of the case and its commitment to provide all consular and legal assistance, it recognised the confidential nature of the proceedings and refrained from further comment.
In August 2022, Qatar arrested the eight former Indian Navy officers, suspecting them of spying for Israel while they were working for a Qatari company. The officers’ bail pleas were repeatedly denied by Qatari authorities.
The death penalty was announced by a Court of First Instance of Qatar. The officers faced charges of espionage related to a submarine programme for Israel, with Qatari authorities claiming to possess electronic evidence in support of these allegations.
