EAM Dr S Jaishankar meets families of 8 Indians facing death row in Qatar

New Delhi Oct 30: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Monday met the families of the eight former Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death in Qatar last week, and assured them that the Union government will "continue to make all efforts to secure their release".

 

 

"Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard," he said.

 

 

Last week, a Qatari court sentenced to death eight former Indian Navy personnel. The Indian nationals, who were employed with Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, were taken into custody in August 2022 in an alleged case of espionage. However, the charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities.

 

 

Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services is a private firm that provides training to Qatar’s armed forces. The Indians facing death row were involved with advising the Qatari government on the acquisition of submarines.

 

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 are the Indians who are facing death row in Qatar. These retired personnel have also commanded major Indian warships.