Qatar release former Indian navy officers after dropping death sentences

 

Qatar has released eight former Indian navy officers previously sentenced to death on charges of spying for Israel.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) thanked Doha on Monday as it announced that the octet had been freed. The details surrounding their arrest, sentencing, and commuting remain unclear.

"We appreciate the decision by the Amir [Emir] of the state of Qatar to enable the release and home- coming of these nationals," the ministry said in a statement in New Delhi.

It said on Monday that seven of the men had already returned to India. No further details were given about the eight man, the condition of the release, or the current status of the case.

Narendra Modi's Qatar visit: Soon after the announcement of the release of the Navy veterans, New Delhi announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Qatar's capital Doha on February 14.

"After completing his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Prime Minister will travel to Doha, Qatar on February 14 afternoon," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a media briefing. He will hold bilateral talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al- Thani and other high dignitaries.

Firm allies: The arrest of the men last year made headlines in Indian and Arab media. The eight were senior employees of Dahra Global Technologies and Consulting Services. Unconfirmed Indian reports said that the company was advising on a Qatari programme aimed at obtaining high-tech, Italian-made, submarines that could evade radar detection. The private firm has since been shut down

while briefly disturbing ties, the case appears unlikely to have a significant effect on relations between New Delhi and Doha, which are firm allies.

The pair continue to have extensive economic ties. Last week, they signed a deal worth tens of billions of dollars that will secure exports of Qatari liquified natural gas until the end of 2048.

THINK OF INDIA