Qatari Court Commutes Death Sentence for Indian Naval Officers

A court of appeals in Qatar reduced the death sentence of eight Indian naval officials who were previously found guilty of spying for Israel. India has not yet disclosed the extent to which the sentence has been reduced.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday confirmed the verdict in a press release: “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case. 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.”

Emphasizing the confidential and sensitive nature of the proceedings of this case, the statement added that “it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture.”

Eight Indian Navy officers were found guilty of spying for Israel and given the death penalty by a Qatari court on Oct. 26, 2023.

The officers were charged with giving Israel access to confidential information about the Qatari Navy’s work on developing a stealth-equipped submarine.

Following the decision to impose the death penalty, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held diplomatic talks with Qatar, which led to a subsequent review of the ruling according to Qatari legal procedures.

Qatar’s Court of Appeal heard the Indian petition, which led to Thursday’s ruling.

The accused Indians were senior staff members of Dahra Global Technologies and Consulting Services, a technical firm that assisted with a project for Qatar. It sought to acquire advanced Italian-built submarines that could avoid radar detection.

The Dahra Global Company, which also trained Qatar’s security services and armed forces, closed in May 2023 after Qatar claimed that it was transferring secret documents and spying for Israel.

The company was owned by an Omani national, Khamis Al Ajami, a retired squadron leader of the Royal Air Force of Oman.