In a shocking turn of events, eight former Indian Navy personnel employed by a company in Doha have been handed the death penalty by a local court in Doha on October 26, following allegations of espionage. The Indian government expressed its profound astonishment at the verdict and declared that all available legal avenues were being explored.
These eight individuals have been in the custody of Qatari authorities since August 2022. The judgment was delivered by the Court of First Instance of Qatar, as reported in a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep shock over the death penalty verdict and mentioned that they are awaiting the detailed judgment. The MEA is in close contact with the family members and the legal team of the accused, actively exploring all legal options. The Indian government attaches great significance to this case and has been diligently monitoring its developments. They intend to continue providing full consular and legal assistance, while also planning to take up the matter with Qatari authorities.
The Indian nationals in question were employed by the Al Dahra company in Doha and were accused of compromising sensitive information at the time of their arrest in the previous year. While working with Dahra Global Technologies and Consultant Services, these former navy personnel were reportedly engaged in training various security-related service providers for the State of Qatar. The company was also involved in the production of advanced Italian-origin submarines known for their stealth capabilities.
The first trial in the case took place in March of the current year, followed by another in June. The accused were granted consular access on multiple occasions, and the Indian ambassador to Qatar met with them as recently as October 1. Both parties, however, have maintained a shroud of secrecy around the case, considering the sensitivity of the allegations.
Former Indian ambassador to Qatar, Deepa Gopalan, emphasized the pivotal role played by a large number of Indian migrants in nurturing India-Qatar relations. She expressed concern that this verdict could severely impact relations between the two countries, considering the substantial Indian expatriate population of over seven lakh in Qatar and the close economic ties. Gopalan suggested that the Indian government, while actively monitoring the case, may need to elevate the matter to the highest diplomatic level to ensure the safety of the convicted individuals.
This verdict marks the first major crisis in the India-Qatar relationship, which had, until now, remained largely stable. Previous high-level engagements between the two nations included Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Doha in June 2016 and his meeting with the Emir of Qatar on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also visited Qatar in February 2022. According to the MEA, Qatar stands as the largest supplier of LNG to India, accounting for over 48% of India’s global LNG imports. Additionally, India imports other vital commodities such as ethylene, propylene, ammonia, urea, and polyethylene from Qatar.
The verdict has garnered strong reactions from opposition political parties as well. Jairam Ramesh, the communications chief of the Indian Congress, expressed deep anguish over the development in Qatar, hoping that the Indian government will leverage its diplomatic and political influence with the Qatari government to the maximum extent possible. He urged swift appeals and actions to secure the release of the convicted officers.