In a significant diplomatic success for Bharat, the eight retired Bharatiya Navy officers, initially sentenced to death in Qatar, have been released by Doha. The capital punishment was commuted to extended prison terms after diplomatic interventions by the Bharatiya government. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) assured the anxious families of the veterans that it would employ all diplomatic channels and legal assistance to secure their release and safe return.
#BIG | “Without the intervention of Prime Minister Modi, this would not have been possible, we would not have been standing in front of you today.”
Says, the Bharatiya who returned to the country safely despite the death sentence in Qatar..👇🏼#Qatar #QatarRelease #SJaishankar pic.twitter.com/7EDeehQWoC
— Ritam English (@EnglishRitam) February 12, 2024
Of the eight former Navy officers, seven have already returned to Bharat, as confirmed by an official statement from the MEA. The Union government welcomed the decision, expressing gratitude to the Amir of the State of Qatar for enabling the release and homecoming of the Bharatiya nationals.
The veterans had been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022, facing accusations of spying on a submarine program. The retired naval personnel were initially sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that were not officially disclosed.
#Breaking | HUGE VICTORY| Qatar releases 8 Former Navy personnel
7 out of 8 have returned to Bharat
“We appreciate the decision by Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” says Indian Foreign Ministry#Qatar #QatarRelease pic.twitter.com/nE1MNsHJnx
— Ritam English (@EnglishRitam) February 12, 2024
The Qatari Court later commuted the death penalty sentences to jail terms, as stated in a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs. The ministry emphasized that a detailed judgment in the case is awaited, and it is in close contact with the legal team in Qatar. The Bharatiya government assured continued consular and legal assistance and pledged to engage with Qatari authorities on the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the bilateral partnership and the well-being of the Bharatiya community in Qatar with the country’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during the COP28 summit in Dubai. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson highlighted the temporal significance, mentioning a 60-day window for possible appeals in the Court of Cassation, Qatar’s highest court.
The legal team of the Ministry of External Affairs possesses the confidential court order detailing the commutation of death sentences to imprisonment terms, as revealed in a press release following the court of appeal’s judgment on December 28. The spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to providing support to the affected individuals and their families.
Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs pointed out the recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, emphasizing positive discussions on the overall bilateral relationship.
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