Qatar court releases 8 former Indian Navy soldiers; 7 return to India: MEA

The Qatar court released all eight former Indian Navy officers held in its custody on Monday, seven of whom have returned to India, according to a Ministry of External Affairs statement.

The MEA welcomed the Qatar court’s decision to free the ex-Indian Navy sailors who had earlier been condemned to death in the nation, praising their coming home.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian citizens working for the Dahra Global firm who were imprisoned in Qatar. Seven out of eight have returned to India. We applaud the Amir of Qatar’s decision to facilitate the release and return of these individuals.”

Previously, the death penalty for the imprisoned Indian Navy veterans was mitigated to a longer prison sentence following diplomatic discussions between Qatar and India. The prison sentence was also reduced after numerous relatives of the imprisoned Indians petitioned the MEA, who told them that all diplomatic channels and legal help would be used to bring them home.

Seven of the eight former Indian Navy officers imprisoned in Qatar have returned to India, according to the MEA’s statement. Arrangements are being made to bring the final discharged veteran home.

Why were former Indian Navy men imprisoned in Qatar?

The eight Indian citizens, who were previously Indian Navy soldiers, were imprisoned in Qatar in October 2022 after being suspected of spying on a submarine development. The Qatari court found the Indian nationals guilty of spying and condemned them to death on allegations that had yet to be made public.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the court decision was “deeply shocking” and that they will pursue all legal possibilities to get the accusations against the former Indian Navy men withdrawn.

The Dahra Global case witnessed a significant turn last year when the court in Qatar remitted the death sentences of the Indian nationals following the intervention of the Indian government. The penalty was reduced to a prison term.