Qatar Court Drops Death Sentence For Eight Indians

Qatar’s Court of Appeal has dropped the death sentence imposed on eight Indian former naval officers arrested there last year, India’s foreign ministry said.

Ministry spokesman, Arindam Bagchi said in a statement the detailed verdict has not been received yet, “we are in close touch with the legal team as well as family members to decide on the next steps,” he said.

Meanwhile, India’s ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Qatari court along with the family members, Bagchi added that they “will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities.”

Report say the eight men, who were condemned to death in October, had been accused of spying for Israel according to sources though India and Qatar have not confirmed the charges.

India’s foreign ministry did not say what new sentence or penalty the men would now face.

It declined to comment on the case further “due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings.”

Qatar and Israel’s embassies in New Delhi did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

India expressed shock when Qatar’s Court of First Instance imposed the death penalty on the eight men who were working on a submarine project with a private company for the Qatari authorities.

More than 800,000 Indian citizens live and work in Qatar, which is also a significant provider of natural gas for India.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere