Qatar drops death penalty for Indian navy veterans

A Qatari court has commuted the death sentences of eight former Indian navy personnel arrested in the country last year, India’s Foreign Ministry has announced.

The eight men were handed the death penalty in October after being arrested in Doha in August last year.

Among them were former high-ranking and decorated officers, and all eight served at least 20 years with India’s navy.

“The detailed judgment is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps,” the ministry said on Thursday.

“Our ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members.

“Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture.” The former-servicemen had worked in Doha for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, an Omanbased company that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces.

The specific charges against the men have not been made public by either country. Media reports have said they were accused of spying on behalf of Israel.

The men were reportedly working on a project to build small submarines with stealth capabilities.

The owner of the company was also arrested, but was reportedly released in November last year.

The case raised potential issues for relations between Doha and New Delhi.

More than 800,000 Indian citizens live in Qatar, and trade between the two countries in the financial year ending March last year was $16.8 billion.