Qatar court sentences death to eight former Indian Navy Officials

On October 26, a Qatar court sentenced eight former Indian Navy officials who are currently detained in the Gulf country to death. 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its shock and stated that it is awaiting the detailed judgement. The MEA is in contact with the family members and legal team and is exploring all legal options. 

The court of first instance of Qatar passed the judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company, according to the MEA’s statement.

The MEA statement expressed the significance of the case and the close monitoring of it. The statement also assured the provision of consular and legal assistance and the intention to discuss the verdict with Qatari authorities. However, due to the confidential nature of the proceedings, the statement refrained from making any further comments at this point.

The former Indian Navy officers, namely Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh, were apprehended by the Qatari intelligence service in Doha on August 30, 2022. 

The specific allegations leveled against them have not been disclosed by the Qatari authorities.