Qatar abolishes death penalty for former Indian Navy officers

The case has complicated relations between India and Qatar, which have strong trade relations. Photo: Gavin Hellyer/Alami. Stock Photo

Qatar has overturned the death sentences of eight former Indian naval officers accused of spying for Israel.

The veterans, who included decorated senior officers, were reportedly working for a private defense and security company when they were accused of espionage.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said the Qatari appeal court verdict meant «a reduction in sentences «, but did not provide further details.

Indian diplomats expressed shock when the death sentence was handed down earlier this year, but declined to comment on the commutation of the sentence «due to the confidential and sensitive nature» of the case.

Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala and Seaman Ragesh, whose full name has not been released, have been in custody since August 2022.

The eight men were employees of Al Dahra, a Gulf-based company that offers «full support». solutions» for the aerospace, security and defense sectors, according to its website.

The men were reportedly working on a secret submarine project with the Qatari Navy.

Nor Qatar , nor Israel commented on the case, but the charges were not made public.

Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel's national security adviser, praised Qatar's «diplomatic efforts» following the October 7 attacks. Photo: Lev Radin/Alami

The case has complicated relations with India, which has strong trade ties with the Gulf monarchy. More than 800,000 Indians work in Qatar, which is also a major supplier of natural gas to Delhi.

Qatar's role in funding Hamas and hosting its leaders has also made it a key mediator in the war between Hamas and Israel.

Qatar played a central role in negotiations for the release of scores of hostages taken in the October 7 attacks.

In October, Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel's national security adviser, said Qatar had become «an important party and interested party in promoting humanitarian solutions,» and his diplomatic efforts were «crucial at this time.»

A few days before Christmas, the head of the Israeli spy agency Mossad met with CIA officials. Director and Prime Minister of Qatar in Warsaw to try to resume hostage negotiations.