India to Assess Next Steps After Qatari Court Ruling on Former Navy Personnel

On Friday, India stated that its course of action regarding the case involving eight former Indian Navy personnel will be determined after reviewing the decision of a Qatari court and engaging in discussions with the legal team handling the matter.

Qatar’s Court of Appeals has reduced the death sentences initially issued to the Navy veterans by another court.

“The interests of Indians and their family members are our foremost concern,” said Arindam Bagchi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, during a media briefing.

“We will be discussing the next possible steps with the legal team and the family members,” he added.

Bagchi further emphasized that he would refrain from providing further comments as the matter is sensitive.

The Indian nationals, employed by Doha-based Al Dahra Global Technologies, were arrested in August 2022 on charges of alleged espionage. Although the specific charges were not disclosed by Qatari authorities, they were sentenced to death by the Gulf country’s Court of First Instance in October of the same year.

The private firm offered training and other services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. India had previously appealed to the Court of Appeal in Qatar against the death sentence last month.