Qatar releases 8 Indian Navy Veterans held on espionage charges

The capital punishment for 8 Indian Navy Veterans was commuted to an extended prison term earlier in Qatar following diplomatic intervention by New Delhi.

New Delhi: India achieved a significant diplomatic victory as Qatar released eight Indian Navy veterans who had been sentenced to death. Earlier, New Delhi’s diplomatic efforts had led to their capital punishment being reduced to an extended prison term.

The families of the Navy veterans had fervently appealed for their release and safe return to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) assured them of utilizing all diplomatic channels and providing legal assistance for their repatriation.

As per an official statement from the MEA on Monday, seven out of the eight former Navy officers have already returned to India.

The Indian government expressed gratitude for the release of the veterans, issuing an official statement which read, “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals.”

The release of the Indian nationals came as a relief for their families and the Indian government alike. It marked the successful culmination of diplomatic efforts between India and Qatar, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in resolving such sensitive matters.

This development underscores the significance of diplomatic relations in safeguarding the interests of citizens abroad. It also highlights the effectiveness of prompt and strategic diplomatic interventions by governments to secure the release of their nationals in distress.

Furthermore, the repatriation of the Navy veterans underscores the value of international cooperation and mutual respect between nations. The decision by the Amir of Qatar to release the Indian nationals reflects the goodwill and amicable relations between the two countries.

Overall, the successful release of the Indian Navy veterans serves as a testament to the diplomatic prowess of India and the collaborative efforts between the governments of India and Qatar. It reinforces the importance of diplomacy in resolving complex and sensitive issues, ensuring the protection and well-being of citizens across borders.

The Ministry of External Affairs spoke about Qatar’s court decision. They mentioned that the sentences were reduced in the Dahra Global case but are waiting for the full judgment.

They’re staying in touch with Qatar’s legal team and the families of those involved. They’ll decide on the next steps once they have the full judgment. They’ve been supporting the families since the beginning and will keep providing help.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the COP28 summit in Dubai. They talked about their partnership and the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar.

The Ministry’s spokesperson, Jaiswal, explained that there’s a 60-day period to appeal to Qatar’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.

The Ministry received a confidential court order about the changed sentences from death to imprisonment. Different durations of imprisonment were given to them, and the death penalty was removed.

The Court of First Instance of Qatar had also given a verdict against them, as per the Ministry.

The spokesperson mentioned the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar. They discussed the overall bilateral relationship.

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