NEW DELHI, INDIA – Eight former Indian Navy personnel faced an uncertain fate as they languished in a Qatar prison with death sentences looming over them. However, a glimmer of hope emerged on Thursday when the Qatari government announced that their sentences had been commuted.
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a press release stating that the Court of Appeal of Qatar had reduced the sentences, bringing relief to the families and the veterans who were detained in August of 2022 without being given a reason, and subsequently sentenced to death in October.
While the death sentence has been struck down, the court upheld the guilty verdict, leaving the families disappointed. The naval veterans may now be serving terms ranging from three to 25 years in prison. However, there is a possibility that they could be transferred to India to serve out their prison terms, thanks to a treaty signed with Qatar in 2015.
The charges against the veterans, related to the Dahra Global case, remain undisclosed by both Qatar and India. The men claim they were employed by a Qatar company for legitimate purposes, while reports suggest they were charged with spying for Israel.
The commutation of the death sentences was a welcome development in India, with the ruling BJP hailing it as a victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy and diplomatic efforts. Nonetheless, the families have reacted cautiously, knowing that the verdict is not yet a vindication or success.
The future of the naval veterans remains uncertain as they await their fate in the hands of Qatar. The Indian government has continued to provide legal and consular assistance, with hopes for a resolution in the near future.