Ex-Navy Officers Linked to Acquisition of Submarines: Who Are the 8 Indians Sentenced to Death in Qatar?

India on Thursday vowed to explore “all legal options” after a Qatari court handed death sentences to eight Indian employees of a consulting company on charges of espionage. Expressing its “deep shock”, the external affairs ministry said in a statement that it is awaiting the detailed judgment in the case and is in touch with the family members of the victims.

“We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” the MEA said. “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,” it added.

While the ministry statement did not provide further details, Qatar’s government declined to immediately comment on the matter. Qatari authorities provided New Delhi consular access to the eight Indian nationals during their trial.

Millions of Indians live and work in the Gulf, a large number of them as semi-skilled or unskilled workers. They form an important source of income for India and contribute to the success of Gulf economies.

Here is all you need to know about the eight Indian nationals sentenced to death on spying charges:

1. According to media reports, the eight men sentenced to death on spying charges are retired naval officers who worked for the consulting company Al Dahra.
2. Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services is a private firm that provides training to the country’s armed forces. The Indians were involved with advising the Qatari government on the acquisition of submarines.
3. They have been identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Ragesh. Among them are decorated officers who have commanded major Indian warships.
4. The eight men, who were detained in Doha, have been in the custody of Qatari authorities since August 2022. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had last said that they had been held on unspecified charges.
5. On October 1, India’s ambassador to Qatar met these men. India was expecting a judgement this month. The seventh hearing in the case took place on October 3.

(With agency inputs)