Qatari court delivers death sentence to eight Indians; India responds

In a recent verdict by a Qatari court, eight Indian nationals have been given the death sentence, leading to shockwaves in India. These individuals had been held in Doha for more than a year. Following the announcement on Thursday, the Indian government has expressed its intent to explore every legal avenue available to ensure the safety and release of its citizens.

India’s Stance on the Verdict

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving eight Indian employees of Al Dahra company.” They added, “We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty 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.”

Stressing the gravity of the situation, the MEA noted, “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.” However, they also mentioned, “Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture.”

Background of the Case

According to PTI news reports, the eight Indian nationals have been incarcerated since August 2022 over allegations of espionage. They were previously employed by the private entity, Al Dahra, with their preliminary trial taking place towards the end of March.