Qatar Reduces The Death Penalty Of 8 Indian Navy Veterans
A Qatar court on Thursday has reduced death penalty given to eight former Indian navy officers last month in an alleged case of spying. The information has been confirmed by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and added that detailed judgement in the case is awaited.
“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 MEA statement said.
They were given the death sentence in October by Qatar’s Court of First Instance and in last month, India had moved the Court of Appeal in Qatar against the death sentence.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the 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,” the statement added.
These ex-navy officers, commanded Indian warships earlier, were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm giving training and services to armed forces in Qatar. It was on August last year, Qatar imprisoned eight veteran navy officers suspecting them as spies associating with while they were working in the firm in Qatar.
The sentenced are 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.
