A Qatar Court on Thursday commuted the death sentence awarded to eight former Navy officers in October. The officers would reportedly serve substantial jail term.
A Qatar Court of Appeal reduced the sentence awarded to eight former Navy officers. Eight former Indian Navy personnel were sentenced to death by a court in Qatar on October 26. The accused men have been detained for a year and were facing charges for espionage.
The eight men, including officers who have commanded major Indian warships, were working for Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and services to Qatar's armed forces.
Commander (retired) Purnendu Tiwari, who is among the detained Indians, served as Al Dahra's managing director and commanded several warships while serving with the navy. The rest of those convicted include Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal and Sailor Rahesh.
According to reports, MEA has taken note of the verdict and awaiting full details of the judgment for further action.
"Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. 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. Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," the MEA said in a statement.
