Sentences of 8 ex-Navy men on death row in Qatar reduced: MEA
MEA said the court of appeals in Doha reduced their sentences.
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that the sentences of eight former Indian Navy personnel -- who are on death row in Qatar -- have been reduced.
In a statement, MEA said the Court of Appeal of Qatar reduced the sentences in the Dahra Global case. It, however, didn't specify what the court said.
"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced...The detailed judgement is awaited," the MEA said in a statement.
It said India's Ambassador to Qatar, officials and the family members of the incarcerated ex-Navy personnel were present in the Court of Appeal.
"Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," it added.
In October, a court in Qatar announced the death penalty to the eight former Navy personnel who had been detained in the country for over a year. Those detained included decorated officers of the Navy who commanded major Indian warships.
Also read: 8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar; New Delhi says deeply shocked
They had been working for Qatar's Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. Their bail pleas were rejected numerous times and their detention was extended by Qatari authorities.
New Delhi had expressed deep shock on the death penalty. People familiar with the matter recently had told HT on condition of anonymity that the eight men were charged with espionage.
Earlier this month, MEA said two hearings had taken place in connection with the case.
Also read: Working for early release of 8 former naval personnel detained in Qatar: India
"There have been two hearings. We filed an appeal, with the families, and the detainees had a final appeal. Two hearings have since been held. One was on November 30th and the other was on November 23rd. I think the next hearing is coming up soon," MEA spokesperson Arindham Bagchi had said.
The government has not revealed the charges on which they were sentenced to death. This comes weeks after a recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad in Dubai.
