New Delhi, December 21 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has provided an update on the case of eight Indian ex-Navy personnel detained in Qatar and facing the death penalty. According to the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, three hearings have taken place in the Qatar Court of Appeal, but there is still no indication of how many Indians are on the pardon list.
The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022, accused of spying on a submarine program. They were sentenced to death by a Qatar court, although the charges have not been publicly disclosed.
Bagchi clarified that there is no indication that the eight Navy personnel are involved in the submarine spying case, as the proceedings are ongoing. He also revealed that the Indian ambassador in Doha had been granted consular access to meet all eight men on December 3.
Despite the appeal filed by the detainees and the subsequent hearings, Qatar has not yet provided details of the charges or shared the court’s order with the families of the former Naval officers. The next hearing is scheduled to take place soon.
The MEA spokesperson reiterated that no information has been received regarding the individuals on the pardon list or the number of Indians involved. The situation remains uncertain, and the case continues to unfold.
It is essential to ensure legal and ethical standards while reporting on sensitive topics, respecting the privacy and reputation of those involved. As this case garners international attention, the focus remains on awaiting further updates and developments in the legal proceedings.
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