In a major diplomatic triumph for India, eight Indian nationals who were sentenced to death in Qatar for unspecified charges were released.
In accordance with multiple news outlets the eight nationals were former Indian naval officers, but the government of India yesterday didn’t disclose their identity.
Neither Qatar nor India revealed the charges against them, who were working for a private firm.
India said in October last year that it was “deeply shocked” after the Court of First Instance in Qatar sentenced the 8 nationals to death.
The government of India welcomed their release, who were detained in Qatar.
“Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Monday.
“We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals.”
Their conviction in Qatar was shrouded in secrecy, and it’s still not clear what offense they committed or what they were charged with.
The Indian ministry has not shared details about the charges either, citing “the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case.”
The ministry announced last October that it had received information about a Qatar court passing the death penalty for the eight nationals, saying it was in touch with all their families and were taking up the verdict with Qatari authorities.
In December, the ministry said the sentences had been reduced, with a detailed judgement to come. It did not elaborate on what the reduced sentences would be.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter, and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities,” the ministry added.
