Former navy men from India were working for a Qatar firm called Al Dahra, responsible for training Qatari armed forces. India is exploring all possible options including legal on the shocking death sentence of its nationals.

New Delhi: Shockwaves were felt across the diplomatic channels after a Qatari court pronounced death sentences to eight Indian ex-navy men who were detained in Doha in August 2022. The charges on which the death sentence was pronounced were not revealed. “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,” the MEA said in an official press release.

Who are the 8 Indian Ex-navymen Given Death Sentences in Qatar?

The ex-navy men are:

1. Commander Purnendu Tiwari
2. Captain Saurabh Vashist
3. Captain Birender Kumar Verma
4. Captain Navtej Singh Gill
5. Commander Sugunakar Pakala
6. Commander Sanjeev Gupta
7. Commander Amit Nagpal
8. Sailor Ragesh Tiwari

What’s the case against 8 Indian ex-navymen?

• The Qatari intelligence detained the above 8 Indian ex-navy men on August 30, 2022.
• Indian nationals were kept in solitary confinement without trial.
• The trial finally began in March 2023
• Though the charges were not revealed, media outlets reported it was “spying” on a submarine programme on behalf of Israel

What we know of the 8 Indian ex-navymen case?

• Indian ex-navymen were working for Al Dahra Technologies which provided technology services to Qatari armed forces.
• Al Dahra Technologies was owned by an Omani national, who was arrested but later released.
• The consular access to these Indian citizens was finally given on October 3, 2022.
• The death sentence was given to these 8 Indian ex-navymen after just 7 hearings.
• The Indian embassy in Doha is providing support to the family members.
• The family has also filed a mercy plea with the Emir of Qatar.
• The Indian government is also exploring legal options in the case.

What death sentence in Qatar means?

• The death penalty is awarded for espionage, threats against national security, apostasy, same-sex intercourse, and blasphemy.
• Options for India and family members
• File a judicial review in Qatar
• Reach out to the International Court of Justice
• Open diplomatic channels and pressure from the United Nations and other countries
• Mercy appeal on humanitarian grounds

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