Editor's Pick | Qatar court commutes death penalty of eight Indians

The Court of Appeals in Doha has commuted the death sentences of eight former Indian naval personnel, believed to involve charges of espionage, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed. The eight men are 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. They were employed by the Dahra Global defence services company and were arrested in August 30, 2022 in Doha. Details about the exact charges against them have not been released to the public. The eight men have been on the death row since they were convicted on October 26. They appealed the verdict on November 9; the appeal was accepted. Vipul, India’s ambassador to Qatar, was reportedly present in the court as the verdict was announced, along with other officials and the family of the men. In a statement, the Ministry said “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced. The detailed judgment is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.” No information has been disclosed about the terms of the verdict. The current decision is the first positive development in this case. Sources close to the families of the eight men, however, have noted with disappointment that the original guilty verdict was upheld, and said they would continue to fight to prove their innocence. One of the sources told the Hindu that the verdict was “harsh for eight innocent ex-navy officers” although it was a “step in the right direction.” The families seek to prove their innocence and bring them back, the source added. Hopes rose earlier this month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on December 1 during the UN’s climate summit in Dubai, in what marked their first conversation since the case began. Mr. Modi did not refer to the issue directly on social media, but posted that he had discussed the “well-being of the Indian community in Qatar” with the Emir. Subsequent reports about the men being on a list of individuals pardoned by the Emir, released every year on December 18 (National Day) were however unfounded. A pardon can only be given after the appeals process is exhausted. Once all appeals have been exhausted, India could also potentially request that the men serve out their sentences in India, according to a 2015 “Transfer of Sentenced Persons” agreement signed with Qatar. Read more here about the various options open to India in the case. The Indian Embassy in Doha has consistently applied for and received consular access to the men. This included a meeting on December 3, two days after Mr. Modi met the Qatari Emir. The Hindu’s Editorial Desperation in distress: On migration attempts by Indians to the developed world Old and strong: On India-Russia ties The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz There was a low-intensity blast outside the Delhi Embassy of which country on December 26? Israel Canada Saudi Arabia Singapore To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 29 December 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]( Qatar court commutes death penalty of eight Indians The Court of Appeals in Doha [has commuted the death sentences]( of eight former Indian naval personnel, believed to involve charges of espionage, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed. The eight men are 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. They were employed by the Dahra Global defence services company and were arrested in August 30, 2022 in Doha. Details about the exact charges against them [have not been released to the public]( The eight men have been on the death row since they were convicted on October 26. They appealed the verdict on November 9; [the appeal was accepted.Â]( Vipul, India’s ambassador to Qatar, was reportedly present in the court as the verdict was announced, along with other officials and the family of the men. In a statement, the Ministry said “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced. The detailed judgment is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.” No information has been disclosed about the terms of the verdict. The current decision is the first positive development in this case. Sources close to the families of the eight men, however, have noted with disappointment that the original guilty verdict was upheld, and said they would continue to fight to prove their innocence. One of the sources told the Hindu that the verdict was “harsh for eight innocent ex-navy officers” although it was a “step in the right direction.” The families seek to prove their innocence and bring them back, the source added. Hopes rose earlier this month after Prime Minister [Narendra Modi met Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani]( on December 1 during the UN’s climate summit in Dubai, in what marked their first conversation since the case began. Mr. Modi did not refer to the issue directly on social media, but posted that he had discussed the “well-being of the Indian community in Qatar” with the Emir. Subsequent reports about the men being on a list of individuals pardoned by the Emir, released every year on December 18 (National Day) were however unfounded. A pardon can only be given after the appeals process is exhausted. Once all appeals have been exhausted, India could also potentially request that the men serve out their sentences in India, according to a 2015 “Transfer of Sentenced Persons” agreement signed with Qatar. [Read more here about the various options open to India in the case.]( The Indian Embassy in Doha has consistently applied for and received consular access to the men. This included a meeting on December 3, two days after Mr. Modi met the Qatari Emir. The Hindu’s Editorial [Arrow][Desperation in distress: On migration attempts by Indians to the developed worldÂ]( [Arrow][Old and strong: On India-Russia tiesÂ]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz There was a low-intensity blast outside the Delhi Embassy of which country on December 26? - Israel - Canada - Saudi Arabia - Singapore To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[India planning to launch 50 satellites for intelligence gathering in five years: ISRO chief] India planning to launch 50 satellites for intelligence gathering in five years: ISRO chief]( [[How do we measure distances across the universe? | Explained] How do we measure distances across the universe? | Explained]( [[Health/Epaper/Clarifying the current protocols for JN.1 Covid-19 infections] Health/Epaper/Clarifying the current protocols for JN.1 Covid-19 infections]( [[Is Pegasus spyware targeting journalists in India?] Is Pegasus spyware targeting journalists in India?]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( Manage your newsletter subscription preferences [here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](