In a major sigh of relief, the Appellate court in Qatar commuted the sentence of the eight Indian navy veterans on death row in an espionage case.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Thursday that the sentences have been reduced.
Sentence Reduced
According to The New Indian Express, all eight veterans have now been awarded varying sentences between three to over 25 years of imprisonment.
The lowest sentence has been awarded for Sailor Ragesh at three years.
The remaining former officials have been given sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years.
A #Qatar Court has commuted the death sentence given to eight former #IndianNavy personnel in an alleged case of espionage, the External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday.https://t.co/8IKNTHkQQe
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) December 28, 2023
This was the fourth hearing of the case, with earlier hearings having taken place on 23 November, 30 November, and 7 December.
The next hearing will now take place in a few days in the Court of Cassation, which is Qatar’s highest court of Appeal.
Government to Continue Pursuing the Case
Some accused have reported a loss of appetite, while others have entirely withdrawn as their health deteriorates.
Due to the sensitive matter of the case, details like why the accused have been given different lengths of sentences are yet to be released to the public.
“The detailed judgement is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps,” the MEA said.
The Indian Ambassador to Qatar, Vipul, and other officials were in the court during the hearing, along with family members of the accused.
“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 MEA reassured.
The Case
The decision comes following PM Narendra Modi’s meeting with the Qatari ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit on 1 December in Dubai.
There were speculations after the meeting that there would be some progress in the case. There were also reports that the Emir might pardon the accused on the country’s National Day on 18 December.
But the hopes fell flat as no such decision was taken since a pardon is granted only when all other options of appeal are exhausted.
The retired naval officials were working for Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consulting Services and, as per reports, were charged with spying on the Qatari government’s submarine program for Israel.
They were in jail since August 2022 and were awarded a death sentence in October.
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 are the eight people accused in the case.