Were 8 former Indian Navy officers spying for Israel in Qatar? This is how Modi government will save from death sentence

India’s diplomatic challenges in West Asia are continuously increasing. After balancing between Israel and Palestine, the focus has now shifted to Qatar. The case is a matter of great concern for New Delhi as it involves eight former naval officers who have been sentenced to death. The decision was a blow to the Indian government, which has said it will explore all legal options. In such a situation, let us know what New Delhi will do regarding the whole matter? Can former Indian Navy personnel be saved from death sentence? What is likely to happen next?

What were the Indian Navy veterans doing in Doha?

Eight former Indian Navy officers were arrested by Qatar’s State Security Bureau, the country’s spy agency, in Doha on August 30, 2022. He worked for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a defense services provider company owned by an Omani national, retired Squadron Leader Khamis Al-Ajmi of the Royal Omani Air Force. He was also arrested last year but was released in November 2022. The naval veteran, acting in his personal capacity, was reportedly overseeing the induction of Italian U212 stealth submarines into the Qatari Emirati Naval Force (QENF). Dahra Global’s website has been removed after reports of the arrest surfaced in October 2022. It claimed to provide training, logistics and maintenance services to the Qatari naval force. However, according to a report by Financial Express, the company now has a new website and it does not mention its connection to QENF.

What are the charges against the eight Indians?

Those arrested have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashishtha, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal and Sailor Ragesh. According to an NDTV report, he served in the Indian Navy for 20 years and held important positions including instructors in the force. Veterans were reportedly arrested on undisclosed charges and placed in solitary confinement. Reports said he was captured for spying. Eight Indians were accused of spying for Israel. However, they will be able to appeal against their sentence.

What action did the Government of India take?

The men were arrested in August last year but the Indian Embassy was informed about their arrest only a few weeks later. India’s Ambassador to Qatar and Deputy Chief of Mission met former Naval officers on 1 October 2022. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is monitoring the situation and has provided all possible assistance to those arrested. The matter has been raised at various diplomatic and political levels. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited Doha in November for the opening of the FIFA World Cup, raising hopes that he would address the officials issue. However, it appears that this issue was not discussed. In December, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Parliament that the detention of eight former Indian Navy officers is a very sensitive matter and assured MPs that their interests are paramount in our minds. The Ambassador and senior officials are in constant touch with the Government of Qatar. We assure that they are our priority. After the verdict, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that we are deeply shocked by the death penalty decision and are waiting for the detailed verdict. We are in touch with the family members and legal team and we are exploring all legal options. We attach great importance to this matter and are following it closely. We will continue to provide all consular and legal assistance. We will also raise the decision with the Qatari authorities.

Now what next?

Quoting government sources, it is being claimed that just as the Central Government cannot release any foreigner under trial in India, similarly other countries also have their own judicial procedures. The government is following the rules of international law and adhering to the laws of Qatar. There is an existing agreement between India and Qatar for transfer of convicted prisoners to India. This allows them to serve their sentences in places where their families can visit. However, the death penalty has been handed down to officials, raising serious concerns for India. But all hope is not lost. The families of the Indian citizens have filed a mercy petition before the Emir of Qatar. Qatari law allows the emir to pardon convicts during Ramadan, Eid and Qatar’s national day, which falls on December 18. But whether this courtesy will be extended to Indian Navy veterans remains to be seen.