The Court of First Instance of Qatar has sentenced eight former naval officers held in Doha to death, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The MEA stated that it is “deeply shocked” by the finding and is currently awaiting the complete decision.
“We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company,” the MEA said in an official press release.
“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” it added.
This matter is very important to us, the MEA said adding that and they have been keeping a close eye on it.
“We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA release said.
“Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” it added.
The eight Indian nationals have been held in Qatar since October 2022, accused of spying on a submarine program.
The eight Indians had been permitted consular access, and New Delhi had been seeking to obtain their release. The first trial for the Indian nationals took place in late March.
Meetu Bhargava, the sister of one of the jailed officers who resides in Gwalior, requested assistance from the Indian government in bringing her brother back.
On June 8, she asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in a post on X.
“These Ex Navy officers are the pride of the nation & 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 pl. @narendramodi @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @MOS_MEA” she posted on X.