8 ex-navy officers sentenced to death penalty in Qatar; “shocked” by the verdict, says India

8 former Indian Navy officers were handed out death penalties by a court in Qatar for alleged charges of espionage for Israel. The ex-navy officers were detained in Qatar for over a year. The Indian foreign ministry said it would not speak much on the matter due to the "confidential nature of proceedings," but pledged that it would contest the decision. The ministry said that such a decision is ‘shocking.’

The soldiers were employed by Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private corporation that provided training and associated services to Qatar's military forces. The men have been imprisoned in Qatar since August 2022, accused of espionage on a submarine development. New Delhi has been seeking to obtain their release after being granted consular access to them. In March, the men went on trial. Capt Navtej Singh Gill, Capt Birendra Kumar Verma, Capt Saurabh Vasisht, Cdr Amit Nagpal, Cdr Purnendu Tiwari, Cdr Sugunakar Pakala, Cdr Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh have all been jailed. Their bail applications were repeatedly denied, and their arrest was extended by Qatari authorities. The Court of First Instance of Qatar put forth a decision today.

The foreign ministry issued a statement that says that India is ‘shocked’ by the verdict of death penalty and is awaiting a more detailed judgment. Moreover, the foreign ministry has informed that they are in touch with the family members and members of the legal teams that are dealing with various facets of the case, and are exploring all plausible legal options. "We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities," added the foreign ministry in a statement.

Previously, Meenu Bhargava, the sister of one of the arrested former navy officers pleaded for government intervention in bringing her brother back to the country. "These Ex Navy officers are the pride of the nation & again I request our Hon'ble Prime Minister with folded hands that it is high time that they all are brought back to India immediately without any further delay," Meenu Bhargava took to social media platform ‘X’, and she tagged PM Modi and union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh to her post.