The Ministry of External Affairs has disclosed that the eight former Indian Navy personnel incarcerated in Qatar have been provided with a 60-day window to appeal against the diverse prison terms issued by the Qatari Court of Appeal last week. This decision followed the commutation of their initial death sentences, which took place on December 28. The court’s verdict came subsequent to an appeal filed by their family members against the earlier death penalty handed down by another court.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media, stating that the legal team representing the Indian nationals has received a copy of the court order, characterized as a “confidential document.”
“On December 28, the Court of Appeal had given a judgment. Thereafter, we issued a press release giving details (and) stating that the death penalty has been reduced. Now, we have the judgment order, which is a confidential document,” he clarified in response to a query.
Jaiswal further elaborated, revealing that the Court of Appeal has granted a 60-day period for the appeal process to be initiated before the Court of Cassation, Qatar’s highest court. The spokesperson emphasized that the decision on the next steps rests with the legal team representing the Indian nationals.
“What we can confirm to you is that the death penalty has now been converted into varying prison sentences for the eight Indian nationals. We are in touch with the family members. We are also in touch with the legal team,” he added.
Sources indicate that the prison sentences handed to the former Indian Navy personnel range from three years to 25 years. The Navy veterans had initially received death sentences from Qatar’s Court of First Instance on October 26.
The eight Indian nationals, employed by the private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August the previous year. However, neither the Qatari authorities nor the Indian government disclosed the specific charges against them. The charges, filed on March 25, subjected the navy veterans to trial under Qatari law.
All of the former Navy officers had illustrious careers with “unblemished stints” of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy, holding significant positions, including instructor roles.
In May, Al-Dahra Global ceased its operations in Doha, prompting the return of all employees, primarily Indians, to their home country. India is reportedly exploring the possibility of invoking provisions of a 2015 bilateral pact on the transfer of sentenced persons between India and Qatar.
This agreement facilitates the serving of sentences in the home country for citizens of India and Qatar convicted and sentenced for criminal offenses. However, there is currently no clarity on whether Qatar has ratified this agreement, leaving the legal landscape surrounding the case in a state of uncertainty.
