Eight retired Indian Navy personnel, detained by Qatari authorities for over a year on undisclosed espionage charges, have now been sentenced to death. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed shock over the sentencing and said on Thursday that it is awaiting the detailed judgement of the matter.

“We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company. We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all 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. Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” the MEA statement read.

Last week, in its weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed that the seventh hearing in the case of the eight men was held on October 3, and India is closely following the proceedings in the court of first instance.

"We understand that a judgement is expected later this month. Yes, the charges were presented as part of the hearings, but I wouldn’t like to get into the legal part of it," he added.

The first hearing in their trial was held on March 29. But even as speculation has swirled about the accusations against the Navy veterans, family sources said they had not been informed of the formal charges under which the trial is being held, either by Qatari authorities or by Indian officials who have had consular access with the prisoners.

WHO ARE THESE EIGH INDIAN NATIONALS?

These former Indian Navy officers under custody of Qatari authorities have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh .

WHERE WERE THEY WORKING?

They were working for Al-Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces. It is a private company that offers training and various other services to the defense and security agencies of Qatar which is owned by an Omani national.

He too was arrested along with the eight Indians, but was released in November. The company was shut down in May 2023, Al Jazeera reports.

The company had employed as many as 75 Indian nationals, most of them being former Navy personnel. Commander (retired) Purnendu Tiwari, who is among the detained Indians, served as Al Dahra’s managing director and commanded several warships while serving with the navy. In 2019, he was awarded Pravasi bharatiya Samman Award by former President of India Ramnath Kovind.

WHAT ARE ALLEGATIONS OF QATAR?

After months of detention, the Qatari authorities revealed that the eight former naval officers were spying on Qatar’s secret submarine program for Israel.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

On August 30 , 2022, eight former Navy officers, a few decorated ones were picked up by Qatar’s intelligence agency i.e the State Security Bureau. They were detained without charges with media reports suggesting that they had been charged with espionage. According to the Indian Express reports, while in custody, the officers were allowed to talk to their families at end of September.

On September 2022, the first bail plea of the jailed officers was held a month after they were picked up and detained in solitary confinement. The plea was rejected. The bail pleas of these former officers were rejected multiple times.

In November, families of the eight former officers got to interact with Mittal at a ‘Meet the Ambassador Open House’ session organised by the Indian Embassy in Doha. The Indian Embassy in Doha had issued a circular earlier saying they would be ready to redress any urgent consular issues or grievances of Indian nationals in Qatar. It has been close to three months since the eight former naval officers were taken into custody by the State Security Bureau (Ministry of Interior, Qatar).

In January this year, India’s ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal met the eight former Indian naval officers. Mittal, during the third consular access, assured them that they would be able to return to their families soon.

The first hearing was held on the 29th of March, which was also attended by the defence lawyer appointed for the case.

The second trial was conducted in June 2023

Qatar has thrice granted consular access to the captive former officials.

On October 1 this year, India's ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal met the men in prison on October 1 after being granted consular access.

WHAT HAS THE EAM SAID IN PARLIAMENT ON THIS CASE?

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last year informed Rajya Sabha said that the Indian side is constantly in touch with the government of Qatar, as he assured the officers are a priority for the country as well. “This is a very sensitive case. Their interests are foremost in our minds. Ambassadors and senior officials are in constant touch with Qatar’s govt. We assure, they’re our priority,”

Meanwhile, minister of state for external affairs V. Muraleedharan informed Lok Sabha this year that the expenses that Indian government has spent on the legal aid on Doha has increased from Rs 7.4 lakh in 2022 to Rs 8.41 crore (until June 2023). While giving a break-up of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) for all 119 Indian diplomatic missions and consulates across the world.

First Published:Oct 26, 2023 6:48 PM IST