EAM S Jaishankar Met With Family Members Of Eight Navy Personnel Sentenced To Death In Qatar

Eight former Indian Navy personnel were awarded death sentence by Qatar. The death penalty was given on charges of espionage, as per reports. The Qatar court observed that the Navy personnel were spying on behalf of the state of Israel.

Admiral R Hari Kumar, Indian Navy Chief said the Indian government is trying best to ease the former Navy personnel. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India met with family members of apprehended.

The Navy personnel imprisoned by Qatar in October 2022, for allegedly spying on the country’s submarine programme. The first trial for the personnel took place in March. They were working in Dahra Global Technologies which is a defense provider company based in Qatar.

Official statement regarding the charges against the eight Navy personnel is yet to be released. As per media reports, they were charged for spying on Qatar’s confidential Navy projects including the one involving Italian midget submarines which are designed to evade radar detection.

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that it was “deeply shocked” by the Qatar court’s verdict.

In a statement shared on X (formerly twitter), Mr. Jaishankar has “underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release”. He also added that they will “coordinate with the families in the regard”.

Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar.

Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families.

Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release.…

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 30, 2023

While speaking at Goa Maritime Conclave, Mr. Kumar said that he did not see the “transcript of the court hearing” which was supposed to be provided on Sunday. He also added that every effort is being taken to “find relief for our personnel” through legal recourse.

With inputs from agencies.