Pursuing legal options: MEA on Qatar’s death sentence to 8 Indians

On the matter involving 8 ex-naval personnel being sentenced to death by a Qatar court, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the judgment remains “confidential”, adding that the appeal has been filed in the case.
The MEA has also urged everyone to refrain from “engaging in speculation” due to the sensitive nature of the case and that the Indian embassy received another consular access on November 7.

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Qatar’s court passed a judgement on October 26 in the case involving 8 employees of Al Dara company.” Bagchi was responding to a question on eight detainees, who have been given death sentences, if would be freed on December 18, the National Day of Qatar. He added that the retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially. They (legal team) are now pursuing further legal steps and an appeal has already been filed, he said.

“The judgment is confidential and has only been shared with the legal team. They are now pursuing further legal steps and an appeal has already been filed. We will also remain engaged with the Qatari authorities in this matter,” the MEA spokesperson also said.

The MEA is actively coordinating with Qatari authorities and has secured consular access on November 7th. Furthermore, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) has met with the family members of those involved. On November 7, the Indian embassy in Doha received another consular access to the detainees,” said Bagchi. “We are in touch with their family members too. External Affairs Minister met the family members earlier this month in New Delhi,” he added.