Days after a Qatar court handed down a death sentence to eight Indian naval veterans, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with their families in Delhi, and both he and Naval Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar promised in separate statements that the government would make “all efforts”, to help release the men.
The families, who have been travelling between Doha and Delhi, trying to have their voice heard since the men, including three former Naval Captains, four Commanders and a sailor, who worked for a defence services company were arrested in August 2022, reportedly for espionage. In a secretive trial process held since March, where even the charges have not been publicly disclosed, the Qatari court of First Instance pronounced on October 26 that the men were guilty, giving the death sentence. Officials said they are still awaiting a copy of the detailed judgement in the case, which has not yet been furnished to the lawyers of the eight men.
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“The government attaches the highest importance to the case. [I] fully share the concerns and pain of the families, underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a statement on social media after meeting with the family members.
Last week, after receiving news of the judgement, sources said the family members had also met the Navy Chief in Delhi. On Monday, Admiral Hari Kumar said the government will move on the legal appeals process in Qatar once they receive the court documents.
“I haven’t yet seen the transcript of the court hearing…it was supposed to have been transcribed and provided on Sunday,” Admiral Kumar told journalists, speaking on the side-lines of the 4th Goa Maritime Conclave. “Every effort is being made by the government to ensure that we take up the legal recourse and find relief for our personnel,” he added.
The Indian Embassy in Doha has been coordinating logistics for the families, including access to meet the men accused, who have been in solitary confinement for much of their time in prison. While the family members declined to comment at this time, citing concerns for the welfare of the 8 men, the sister of Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Dr. Meetu Bhargava has been posting at intervals on social media.
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“I haven’t yet seen the transcript of the court hearing…it was supposed to have been transcribed and provided on Sunday,” Admiral Kumar told journalists, speaking on the side-lines of the 4th Goa Maritime Conclave. “Every effort is being made by the government to ensure that we take up the legal recourse and find relief for our personnel,” he added.
The Indian Embassy in Doha has been coordinating logistics for the families, including access to meet the men accused, who have been in solitary confinement for much of their time in prison. While the family members declined to comment at this time, citing concerns for the welfare of the 8 men, the sister of Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Dr. Meetu Bhargava has been posting at intervals on social media.
