New Delhi: A Qatar court has granted approval to the appeal lodged by the Indian government challenging the death sentences handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel last month, according to sources closely involved in the matter.
The eight individuals, namely Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and sailor Ragesh, were sentenced to the death penalty on October 26 by Qatar’s Court of First Instance. Responding to the initial verdict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed profound shock and pledged to explore all available legal avenues.
The arrest of these eight retired Indian naval veterans, who were working with the private company Al Dahr, took place in 2022 on charges of espionage. The first trial occurred on March 25, 2023, under Qatari law. Despite consular access being granted in October, the situation took a grim turn when the local court pronounced the death sentences.
Former military officials have emphasized the impeccable service records of the accused, citing unblemished careers spanning up to 20 years in the Indian Navy, where they held crucial positions, including that of instructors within the force.
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