Relief for 8 Indian Navy veterans on death row in Qatar as court reduces punishment
A Qatar court has reduced sentences awarded to eight former Indian Navy personnel last month in connection with an alleged case of espionage, the Indian government said on Thursday.
The development comes weeks after Qatar’s Court of First Instance accepted the appeal filed by the Indian government against the death sentence awarded to the Navy veterans.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), however, said a detailed judgement in the case is awaited and Indian authorities are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.
“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,” MEA said in an official statement.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present at the Court of Appeal today, along with 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,” it added.