New Delhi: In a significant development, the Qatari Court announced on Thursday that it has commuted the death penalty sentences of eight ex-Indian naval officers, who were arrested last year in connection with the Dahra Global case. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed this information through a press statement, stating that the death sentences have been reduced to jail terms. The MEA further stated that they are eagerly awaiting the detailed judgment in the case and remain in close communication with the legal team representing the Indian nationals in Qatar.
The eight Indian nationals involved in the case are Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh. These former naval personnel have been held in Qatar since October 2022, facing accusations of espionage related to a submarine program. The specific charges leading to the death sentences have not been officially disclosed by the Qatari authorities.
