Indian Ex-Naval Officers in Qatar Receive Different Prison Sentences

Eight former Indian naval officers who were previously sentenced to death in Qatar are now facing prison sentences of varying lengths, according to India. The men have been given 60 days to appeal these jail terms. The death penalties were commuted last month by a court in Qatar, however, the specific charges against the men have not been disclosed by either Qatar or India. However, according to reports from Financial Times and Reuters, the men allegedly faced charges of spying for Israel. India, Qatar, and Israel have all refrained from commenting on these reports. The court orders pertaining to this case have also not been made public, but India has been providing updates on the developments, as it has been viewed as a diplomatic test for the country's government. During a recent press briefing, the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that the legal team representing the men now has access to the court order that commuted their death sentences. However, he described the document as confidential and did not disclose the specifics of the prison terms. Jaiswal stated that the men have 60 days to appeal the judgment in Qatar's highest court, the Court of Cassation, and added that the next course of action is for the legal team to decide. In October 2023, the Indian government expressed deep shock over the initial death sentences issued by the Court of First Instance in Qatar, and promptly filed an appeal against the sentence, exploring all available legal options. The arrest of these men had garnered significant media attention in India in 2022. Although the Indian government described them as employees of the private company Al Dahra, they have widely been reported as former Indian Navy personnel. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar referred to them as ex-servicemen in parliament, and their families have confirmed their identities and naval background to local media. It is important to note that neither India nor Qatar has disclosed the specific charges against the men, and the reports of their spying for Israel remain unconfirmed as no official comments have been made by the involved countries. The case continues to unfold, and the fate of these former naval officers will be determined through the legal process.