Qatar releases 8 Indians after revoking death penalty in espionage case. Seven former members of the Indian Navy have returned to their homeland after being released from detention in Qatar, where they had been facing espionage charges.
These individuals had been sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in spying on behalf of Israel, but their sentences were commuted to varying jail terms by the Court of Appeal in Qatar on December 28 last year.
The group, consisting of Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purenendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh, had been arrested in August 2022.
They were reported to have been associated with Dahra Global Technologies and Consulting Services, a company engaged in advising a Qatari program aimed at acquiring sophisticated Italian-made submarines capable of evading radar detection.
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This organization, which reportedly employed around 75 Indian nationals, mainly former naval personnel, ceased operations in May 2023.
The case drew significant attention when Qatari officials disclosed that the detained individuals were suspected of spying on the country’s secret submarine program for Israel.
Consequently, in October 2023, they were handed death sentences by Qatar’s Court of First Instance.
However, recent diplomatic efforts appear to have played a crucial role in securing their release.
During the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) climate sustainability summit held in Dubai last December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad, addressing concerns regarding the welfare of the Indian community in Qatar.
The news of their return has been met with relief and joy in India, with Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh expressing solidarity with the released individuals and their families.
In a statement on social media, he conveyed the Indian National Congress’s support and happiness over their safe return.
As Qatar releases 8 Indians after revoking death penalty in espionage case, the resolution of this case marks a significant development in the diplomatic relations between India and Qatar, underscoring the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing complex international issues.
