Editor's Pick: Eight former Navy officers get death penalty in Qatar

Eight former Indian Navy officials, who have been in the custody of Qatari authorities since August 2022, were handed the death penalty by a local court in Doha on Thursday in an alleged case of espionage. The men were employees of a company in Doha when they were taken into custody last year. The eight men — Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh — were employed by the Al Dahra company in Doha and were allegedly accused of breaching sensitive secrets at the time of their arrest. Although both India and Qatar have been secretive about the charges due to their sensitive nature, the former navy personnel were reportedly involved in training various security-related service providers for Qatar, and the company was also involved in producing high-tech Italian-origin submarines that are known for stealth capabilities. Indian authorities said that they are “deeply shocked by the verdict” and are awaiting the detailed judgement. “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,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Earlier this year, the MEA had refused to “put pressure on Qatar” or interfere in the legal proceedings of the case. The government’s stand had elicited criticism from Opposition parties like the Congress. “Is the Prime Minister reluctant to put pressure on Qatar because its sovereign wealth fund is a major investor in Adani Electricity in Mumbai?” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said in April. Former Indian ambassador to Qatar Deepa Gopalan said that the large population of Indian migrants in Qatar is also a crucial factor in the matter and that they play an important role in fostering India-Qatar relations, which have been steady so far. The Hindu’s Editorial Renewed risks: On the RBI and how global uncertainties have compounded Internecine squabbling: On the dissonances within the Republican Party in the U.S. The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz António Guterres is the head of which of the following organizations? International Monetary Fund United Nations World Bank World Bank To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 27 October 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Eight former Navy officers get death penalty in Qatar Eight former Indian Navy officials, who have been in the custody of Qatari authorities since August 2022, were handed the[ death penalty by a local court in Doha]( on Thursday in an alleged case of espionage. The men were employees of a company in Doha when they were taken into custody last year. The eight men — Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh — were employed by the Al Dahra company in Doha and were allegedly accused of breaching sensitive secrets at the time of their arrest. Although both India and Qatar have been secretive about the charges due to their sensitive nature, the former navy personnel were reportedly involved in training various security-related service providers for Qatar, and the company was also involved in producing high-tech Italian-origin submarines that are known for stealth capabilities. Indian authorities said that they are “deeply shocked by the verdict” and are awaiting the detailed judgement. “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,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Earlier this year, the MEA had refused to “[put pressure on Qatar]( or interfere in the legal proceedings of the case. The government’s stand had elicited criticism from Opposition parties like the Congress. “Is the Prime Minister reluctant to put pressure on Qatar because its sovereign wealth fund is a major investor in Adani Electricity in Mumbai?” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said in April. Former Indian ambassador to Qatar Deepa Gopalan said that the large population of Indian migrants in Qatar is also a crucial factor in the matter and that they play an important role in fostering India-Qatar relations, which have been steady so far. The Hindu’s Editorial [Arrow][Renewed risks: On the RBI and how global uncertainties have compounded Â]( [Arrow][Internecine squabbling: On the dissonances within the Republican Party in the U.S.]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz António Guterres is the head of which of the following organizations? - International Monetary Fund - United Nations  - World Bank - World Bank To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[ED arrests West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mullick in a case relating to PDS irregularities] ED arrests West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mullick in a case relating to PDS irregularities]( [[India Mobile Congress 2023 | 2014 is not a date, but a change, says PM Modi] India Mobile Congress 2023 | 2014 is not a date, but a change, says PM Modi]( [[What ‘Humans of Bombay’ vs ‘People of India’ reveals about copyright violations on Meta’s Instagram | Explained] What ‘Humans of Bombay’ vs ‘People of India’ reveals about copyright violations on Meta’s Instagram | Explained]( [[From mud to mat: Haryana training its youth for kabaddi’s big league] From mud to mat: Haryana training its youth for kabaddi’s big league]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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