Qatar Imposes Death Penalty on 8 Indian Navy Personnel

Qatar has handed down the death penalty to eight former Indian Navy personnel who have been detained in the country since August of the previous year.

These eight men, including highly decorated officers with a history of commanding major Indian warships, were employed by Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm providing training and services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies.

The charges against these men, however, remain shrouded in secrecy, as Qatari authorities have not publicly disclosed the specifics of the allegations against them. This veil of secrecy has only intensified the outrage and concern surrounding their case.

Qatar Fixes Death Penalty to Indians

Among those detained is Commander (retired) Purnendu Tiwari, a former managing director of Al Dahra and a distinguished naval officer with a remarkable career of commanding warships during his service.

The Indian government expressed deep shock and concern over the sentencing and has vowed to explore all available legal avenues to secure the release of its citizens.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, “We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgment. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options.”

The Indian government attaches high importance to this case and has been closely monitoring its developments, providing consular and legal assistance to the affected individuals. They also plan to raise the issue with Qatari authorities, seeking a resolution to this distressing situation.

Despite the lack of official information regarding the charges, anonymous sources claim that the eight men have been charged with espionage. This case has been marked by its confidential nature, with Qatari and Indian authorities keeping details close to their chests.

The detained individuals had their first trial in late March, and the seventh hearing in the case occurred on October 3. India’s Ambassador to Qatar met with these men on October 1, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to secure their release.

The Indian nationals facing the death penalty have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh.

Their families, as well as concerned citizens, have been appealing to the Indian government for intervention in bringing these individuals back home.

On social media, Meetu Bhargava, the sister of one of the officers, implored Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate action. She stated, “These Ex-Navy officers are the pride of the nation, and again I request our Hon’ble Prime Minister with folded hands that it is high time that they all are brought back to India immediately without any further delay.”

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