The Indian government said on Thursday that a court in Qatar has lowered the death sentences given to eight former members of the Indian Navy last month about an alleged intelligence case.
The Court of Appeal of Qatar lowered the death penalties in the Dahra Global case, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It said that a thorough ruling on the subject is pending, but it did not state what the court had ruled.
This comes just a few weeks after the Indian government’s appeal against the Navy veterans’ death sentences was granted by Qatar’s Court of First Instance.
Notably, to determine the next course of action, Indian officials are in close communication with both the legal team and family members.
“We have taken note of the Court of Appeal of Qatar’s decision from today regarding the sentencing reduction in the Dahra Global case. The full ruling is anticipated,” the MEA stated in a statement.
“Family members were present before the Court of Appeal today, along with our ambassador to Qatar and other authorities. Since the start of the situation, we have supported them, and we will keep offering all possible consular and legal support. We’ll keep bringing up the issue with the authorities in Qatar as well,” it continued.
WHICH CASE IS IT?
The Indian nationals were detained in August of last year on suspicion of espionage after working for a private firm called Al Dahra. The accusations against the Indian citizens were kept secret by both New Delhi and the Qatari government.
On October 26, the Court of First Instance in Qatar handed down death sentences to the veterans of the Navy. India promised to investigate all legal possibilities in the matter and called the verdict “deeply” disturbing.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated last month that it is giving this matter “high importance” and is considering all available legal alternatives in response to the verdict made by the Qatari court. The Indian nationals were charged on March 25 and their trial took place under Qatari law.
Earlier this month, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar declared that every imprisoned former Navy member would be returned from Qatar if the government so chooses. Admiral Kumar told the journalists at a briefing, “We are working closely to ensure that their interests are looked after.”
