8 Indian Navy Officers Sentenced to Death in Qatar

In a shocking development, eight ex Indian Navy officers, including officers once in command of major Indian warships, have been sentenced to death by a Qatari court who were arrested by Qatari authorities in August last year.

‍All you need to know

What is their Crime?

According to the reports, the eight detainees were accused of espionage or spying, however, official details of the charges have not been released by either Qatari or Indian authorities.

The detainees had their first trial in late March and their bail pleas have been rejected eight times.

‍What is the Indian Govt. doing about it?

The Indian Embassy first learnt about the arrests in mid-September 2022 and the Indian government has claimed that they have offered full legal assistance since their arrest.

India's MEA stressed the high importance of the case and assured it will take up the matter with Qatari authorities while continuing to extend all consular and legal assistance.

‍The Big Picture

These Indian Navy veterans were working at a firm called Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services in Doha which provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces and is owned by a retired member of the Royal Omani Air Force who was also arrested but released in November.

Reports suggest that, as of December 2022, the firm continues to operate with many other former Indian naval officers working for it.

‍The Way Forward

As of now, the Indian foreign ministry has been unsuccessful in achieving a breakthrough in the case and the ex officers were detained and held in solitary confinement for at least 10 months.

An existing agreement between India and Qatar allows convicted prisoners to serve their sentences in places where their families can visit. But since they have been awarded the death penalty, it is unsure how the situation will pan out.