Chief Admiral Hari Kumar of the Indian Navy stated on Monday that every attempt is being made by the government to secure relief for the eight Indian personnel who are being held in Qatar. All eight of the Indians who are currently accused of spying and could be executed in Qatar are former members of the Navy.
Speaking at an event in Goa, Kumar said, “The court hearing was supposed to be transcribed and provided to us on Sunday…but we heard the MEA statement on this.
“Every effort is being made by the government to ensure we take this up through the legal course and we get relief for our personnel,” he added.
This comes after the eight former naval officers who were being held in Doha were given the death penalty by the Court of First Instance of Qatar. The families of eight Indians who are being held in Qatar were met earlier in the day by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who gave them the assurance that every effort will be made by the government to secure their release. According to the EAM, the government will work closely with the families in this regard and gives the case the “highest importance.”
“Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that the Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it was “deeply shocked” by the verdict and now awaits the detailed judgement.