“60-Day Window Open to Appeal…”: MEA on Qatar Court Relief for Ex-Indian Navy Officers

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday stated that a 60-day window has opened to appeal the case in the highest court in Qatar, a week after the court there has commuted the death sentences of 8 Indian ex-Navy personnel. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the legal team of MEA is in possession of the court order (a confidential document), during a press briefing.

The order contains details regarding the commutation of the death sentences to imprisonment terms, a move revealed in a press release following the court of appeal’s judgement on December 28.

Jaiswal, the newly appointed spokesperson of MEA, emphasized the corporeal significance of this period, stating, “As far as the issue is concerned, there is a time of 60 days when this issue can be appealed in the Court of Cassation which is the highest court in Qatar.”

“We issued a press release in which we informed you that the death sentence, which was originally a death penalty, has been changed to imprisonment sentences. Now our legal team has that court order, and I can confirm that all of them have received sentences of different durations, and the death penalty has been abolished,” Jaiswal said.

Eight Indian nationals and former naval personnel were arrested in Qatar in October 2022. The charges related to alleged spying on a submarine programme. The detailed judgement from the Court of Appeal is awaited. Meanwhile, the MEA has assured close coordination with the legal team and the families of individuals involved.

“Our legal team is working on this issue, and we are also working with the family and the legal team on this issue. Talking, connected, and looking forward to seeing what happens,” Jaiswal remarked, accentuating the collaborative effort to navigate the complexities of the case.

A previously issues release was issued by the MEA which expressed awareness of the verdict along with commitment to provide consular and legal assistance. Furthermore, the ambassador and the officials were present during the Court of Appeal proceedings, standing on solidarity with the families.