Eight Ex-Indian Navy Personnel Jailed in Qatar Released

Qatar has released the eight former Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death three months ago on espionage charges, according to the Ministry of External Affairs' announcement on February 12. The Indian government appreciates the decision by the Amir of Qatar, welcoming the release of the individuals working for Dahra Global. While seven sailors have returned to India, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, whose death sentence was commuted to a 25-year life term, is expected to return soon.

In December of the previous year, the appellate court in Qatar commuted the death sentences for the eight former Indian Navy personnel. The individuals, employees of Dahra Global in Doha, were taken into custody in August 2022, facing undisclosed charges; however, according to the Financial Times, they were accused of spying for Israel.

In early December, the Indian ambassador in Doha met the detained individuals in prison for the first time since their death sentences were handed down in October. This consular access and subsequent commutation were granted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during the COP28 summit in Dubai on December 1, where they discussed bilateral partnership and the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar, indirectly addressing the situation of the former Indian Navy personnel on death row.

The individuals were working with Dahra Global in their private capacity to oversee the induction of the Italian small stealth submarine U2I2. Identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh, the Indians faced a deeply shocking verdict in October, prompting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to meet their families and assure them of the government's utmost importance attached to the case. In addition to government efforts, the families submitted a mercy plea to the Emir of Qatar.