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Qatar court lowers punishment for 8 former Indian Navy personnel in espionage case
The eight former Navy officers were apprehended in August 2022 while employed by Dahra Global, headquartered in Doha
Representative Image / Unsplash
The Ministry of External Affairs reported that on Thursday, a court in Qatar shortened the sentences of eight former Navy officers convicted in the Dahra Global case. The verdict lowers to life imprisonment the death penalty imposed on former Navy officers.
The MEA further stated that the Indian government will maintain all consular and legal aid provided to Indian citizens, while also maintaining dialogue with the Qatari authorities regarding the matter. "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 judgement is awaited, " the ministry said in a statement.
"We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps. Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," the statement further read.
The eight former Navy officers were apprehended in August 2022 while employed by Dahra Global, headquartered in Doha. Though the accusations against the Indian citizens were not disclosed by the Qatari authorities, it was reported that the former Navy officials were were arrested on charges of espionage.
The accused were charged by the authorities in March 2023, and on October 26 2023, they were sentenced to death by a court. The Ministry of External Affairs of India, which was closely monitoring the situation, expressed its shock at the verdict and immediately initiated vigorous diplomatic discussions with the Qatari authorities.
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