New Delhi: On October 30, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met the family members of the eight Indians detained in Qatar in August 2022 who have been sentenced to death. EAM told them that the Indian Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release.
Taking the social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar posted:
"Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard."
The eight ex-Indian Navy Personnel were detained in August 2022 by Qatar on suspicion of allegedly spying for Israel while employed by a company Al Dahra in Qatar. According to reports they were allegedly involved in dubious activities connected to espionage and state-sponsored terrorism.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India had earlier (on October 26, 2023) said it is deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty to eight Indians detained in Qatar and it is awaiting the detailed judgement in the case.
MEA had further said it is in touch with the family members and the legal team and it is exploring all legal options.
MEA had also said in its statement: "It attaches high importance to this case, and has been following it closely. And it will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance and will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities."
"Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture", MEA had earlier said in its statement.
MEA had said on October 26, 2023 in its press release:
"We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company.
We are deeply shocked by the verdict of 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.
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.
Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture."
