In a significant development, a Qatar court has decided to commute the death sentences of eight Bharatiya citizens, who were arrested in October 2022 on charges related to alleged spying on a submarine program. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Bharat announced that a 60-day window has opened for an appeal in the highest court in Qatar.
During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the temporal significance of the 60-day period, emphasizing that the case can be appealed in the Court of Cassation, Qatar’s highest court. Jaiswal revealed that the MEA’s legal team possesses the confidential court order detailing the commutation of the death sentences to imprisonment terms.
The court’s decision to commute the death sentences was made public in a press release following the court of appeal’s judgment on December 28. Jaiswal confirmed that all eight individuals have received sentences of different durations, and the death penalty has been abolished.
The arrested individuals, former naval personnel, were accused of spying on a submarine program. While awaiting the detailed judgment from the Court of Appeal, the MEA assured that they are closely coordinating with the legal team and the families of the individuals involved. Jaiswal stated, “Our legal team is working on this issue, and we are also working with the family and the legal team on this issue. Talking, connected, and looking forward to seeing what happens,” underscoring the collaborative effort to navigate the complexities of the case.
The MEA had previously issued a release expressing awareness of the verdict and a commitment to provide consular and legal assistance. The ambassador and officials were present during the Court of Appeal proceedings, standing in solidarity with the families.
As the 60-day appeal window unfolds, the focus remains on the legal proceedings and the efforts made by the MEA to secure the best possible outcome for the Indian nationals involved in this high-profile case.
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