Shocking news came from Qatar where 8 Indian former Navy Officers were sentenced to death. The Foreign Ministry of India has reacted to the statement and has called it shocking and said that the “confidential nature of proceedings” but assured that it would contest the case.
Since August 2022, these ex-Navy personnel have been imprisoned. They were given consular access by Qatar, and New Delhi has been attempting to arrange for their release. When the men went on trial in March, the Qatari authorities repeatedly denied their requests for bail and extended their jail sentence.
Who are those 8 Navy Officers Sentenced to Death?
Capt. Navtej Singh Gill, Capt. Birendra Kumar Verma, Capt. Saurabh Vasisht, Cdr. Amit Nagpal, Cdr. Purnendu Tiwari, Cdr. Sugunakar Pakala, Cdr. Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh are the eight Indian officers who have been given death sentences by the Qatari court.
Among all the detained Indian Navy officers Commander (retired) Purnendu Tiwari, has commanded several warships while serving with the navy.
Meetu Bhargava, who is the sister of the detained officer, took to Twitter and asked for help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bhargava took to Twitter and said, “These ex-Navy officers are the pride of the nation, and again, I request our Hon’ble Prime Minister with folded hands that it is high time that they all are brought back to India immediately without any further delay.”
Why Qatar Sentenced Death to 8 Navy Officers
As per the information available by Qatari authorities, these 8 former Navy Officers were spying for Israel. The eight men, including decorated officers who have commanded major Indian warships, were working for Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies.
Although Qatari and Indian authorities have never provided details of the charges against the men, who were held in solitary confinement for long spells. Also, one of the senior Indian journalists and his wife were asked to leave Qatar who were reporting in this case.