In a startling and highly controversial ruling, a court in Qatar has sentenced eight former Indian Navy personnel to death after detaining them for more than a year. The Indian government has expressed profound shock over the verdict and has vowed to explore all possible legal options in response to the ruling.
The military veterans, who had been working for a private firm in Qatar, were initially detained by the Qatari intelligence service on unspecified charges in August of the previous year. While earlier reports suggested that the group had been accused of spying on a submarine program on behalf of Israel, the exact nature of the charges remains unclear.
Qatari authorities have also indicated that they possess electronic evidence pertaining to the case, but specific details regarding this evidence have not been disclosed to the public.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement in response to the verdict, expressing deep concern and commitment to the case.
"We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgment. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options. We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities," the ministry announced on Thursday.
This development has raised significant international concern, and diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify as India seeks to protect the rights of its citizens facing such a severe penalty in Qatar.