Dahra Global Case: Eight Indian former marines, who were sentenced to death for alleged espionage in Qatar, got a big relief on Thursday (December 28). After an appeal by the Government of India, the death sentence of these people was stayed. These 8 former Navy officers were sentenced to death on 26 October 2023.
After this, on November 9, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the Government of India filed an appeal against this sentence, which was accepted by the court there. These 8 Indians, working in a company named Al-Dahra, were arrested in the month of August last year on charges of alleged espionage. On March 25 this year, charges were framed against these eight officers and they were sentenced to death.
What happened when?
On October 26, a court in Qatar had sentenced eight detained former Indian Navy personnel to death. Earlier, his bail pleas were rejected several times and the authorities extended his custody. The Indian government expressed shock at the sentence and said it would use all legal options available to secure the release of its citizens.
On 3 December, diplomatic access was granted to meet all eight Indians in jail. Earlier, two hearings were held in the case on 23 November and 30 November.
Eight people, including officers who commanded major Indian warships, were working for Al Dahra Company. This company worked in the defense related field. The owner of the company (Oman citizen) was also arrested along with the Indians, but was later released on bail. According to different reports, he is accused of espionage related to the submarine program.
These people were arrested by Qatar’s intelligence department from Doha in August 2022 and the trial started in March 2023. India’s Ambassador to Qatar had met these people.
What did Arindam Bagchi say?
After the matter came to light, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said, “On October 26, the Court of First Instance had given its decision regarding these 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra Company. The decision is confidential and has been shared with the legal team. They are now taking legal action and I am also investigating about it. An appeal file has been finished and as far as I know, his appeal has been filed and we are also in touch with the tax authorities.”
He had further said, “On November 7, our embassy received another round of consular access, when we met 8 people and we can also get in touch with their family members. The External Affairs Minister had met his family members in Delhi and we will continue to provide them legal and consular assistance as much as possible.”
Who are those eight former Indian Navy personnel?
The 8 Indians lodged in Qatar jail on alleged espionage charges are Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vashishtha, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar.
Commander Purnendu Tiwari (retired) was said to be the managing director of the company. He received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2019 for his services in advancing bilateral relations between India and Qatar.
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