India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, announced on Monday that the country is committed to making every possible effort to secure the release of eight former navy personnel who have been sentenced to death by a court in Qatar. The individuals were reportedly convicted of spying for Israel.
Jaishankar met with the families of the detained Indians and emphasized the Indian government’s high priority in this case. The eight detainees, including former high-ranking officers, were arrested in Doha in August 2022.
Qatar has not officially commented on the case, and the charges against the individuals have not been disclosed. India’s Navy Chief, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, confirmed that the government is doing everything in its power to help the personnel.
The detainees worked for Al Dahra, a Gulf-based company specializing in aerospace, security, and defense support solutions. Some reports suggest they were accused of spying for Israel, though Israel’s government has not commented on the matter.
Family members of the detained individuals have refuted the allegations, with one sister stating that it made no sense for her brother, who is 63 years old, to spy for Israel.
India’s Foreign Ministry had previously announced that it would raise the issue with Qatari authorities and provide consular and legal assistance to the prisoners.
Qatar rarely carries out executions, and it has previously equated a death sentence to a life sentence. India maintains friendly relations with Qatar, a significant supplier of natural gas to India, with a substantial portion of Qatar’s population consisting of Indian citizens.
Furthermore, Qatar has been involved in mediation efforts related to a prisoner exchange between the Palestinian armed group Hamas and Israel.
