Qatar Sentences 8 Former Indian Navy Officers to Death on Espionage Charges
New Delhi: In a shocking turn of events, the Qatari court has sentenced 8 former senior officers of the Indian Navy to death. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed its dismay over the verdict, stating that it had contacted the families of the convicts and was exploring legal options for their release.
The convicted officers, identified as former captains Navjeet Singh Gill, Birendra Kumar Verma, Saurabh Vasisth, former commanders Amit Nagpal, Burnetu Tiwari, Sukhunagar Bhakala, Sanjeev Gupta, and Rakesh, have been accused of spying for Israel.
According to reports, these retired Indian Navy officers were employed by a private company called ‘TahraGlobal Technologies and Consultancy Services’ in Qatar. The company had been providing services to the Qatari military and was involved in a submarine project in collaboration with an Italian company for the Qatar Navy. Allegedly, the officers shared confidential information about the project with the Israeli government, leading to their arrest. However, the Qatari government has not officially disclosed the exact reason for their detention.
The Government of India has advised caution regarding this matter. The 8 former Navy officers have been kept in solitary confinement since their arrest in August last year. Despite their repeated bail applications, the Qatar court has denied their release.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar addressed the issue in Parliament last year, emphasizing its significance and calling for heightened attention. Now, the Qatari court’s decision to pass the death sentence has alarmed the Indian authorities.
Reacting to the verdict, the Ministry of External Affairs stated, “The verdict against the 8 Indians arrested in Qatar is shocking. We eagerly await the detailed verdict and are in close contact with their families. We are exploring all possible legal options to secure their release. Consultations with a group of legal experts are underway, and negotiations with the Qatari authorities have commenced.”
The Indian government is actively pursuing the matter and considering it a top priority as it seeks to secure the release of the imprisoned navy officers. The families of the convicts are desperately hoping for a positive outcome and a resolution to this distressing situation.