WC 930
Blame game breaks out over death sentence pronounced by Qatar to 8 Indian former naval servicemen
Rashmi Talwar
AMRITSAR October 27, 2023—–When KC Singh a former sharp-shot diplomat and Strategic Affairs Expert & columnist wrote on his ‘X’ social networking handle –“The Qatar espionage trial should never have been allowed to take place, knowing how opaquely the judiciary functions in the Gulf Sheikhdoms. There’s only one escape route. The ruler has to intervene and grant a pardon and deport the persons”. It was a point to be noted. The former diplomat- much respected and much listened to, commands an ardent following of 88.8K, among which is the Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC).
Just as Qatar pronounced death sentences to 8- Indians, seven of whom were former naval officers the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s statement to the parliament in December last year went viral, as if on a cue.
The statement by Dr S Jaishankar was –
“Regarding the detention of 8- Indian x- navy officers in Qatar, Dr S Jaishankar India’s External Affairs Minister had said last December – “this is a sensitive case I am referring to the case of detention of some of our ex-servicemen in Qatar I can only say because there their interest is foremost in our minds.
I can only assure we have been seized of the matter, our ambassador; and senior officials have been in continuous touch with the Qatari Government on this. Our efforts are obviously to ensure that they are not treated unfairly and the sooner we can bring them back home.
I assure you that they are very much very, very much and strongly in our priorities in respect of Qatar and it is something we are pursuing.”
Then the social networking enthusiast MP Shashi Tharoor wrote on ‘X’
“Shocked to learn that Qatar has passed a death sentence on eight former Indian Navy officers. The details of the entire case are shrouded in mystery & opacity. Trust MEA India Dr S Jaishankar & Prime Minister’s Office will act immediately with the highest levels, of the Qatar government to support an appeal and bring them home”.
Somebody commented – MP Tharoor- Correct yourself seven are navy officials and one is a sailor.
Asaduddin Owaisi Indian MP in a post on ‘X” wrote
In August, I raised the issue of our ex-naval officers stuck in #Qatar. Today they have been sentenced to death Narendra Modi has boasted about how much “Islamic countries” love him. He must bring our ex-naval officers back. It’s very unfortunate that they face the death row. Asaduddin Owaisi Indian MP has 2.8 million followers.
Meantime in response to the judgement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry issued a statement:
“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.”
“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.”
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Arrested Indians on charges of spying worked for Qatar Co.The arrested Indians were identified as:
· Captain Saurab Vasisht
· Captain Navtej Singh Gill,
· Capt Birendra Kumar Verma,
· Commander Purnendu Tiwari,
· Commander Sagunakar Pakala,
· Commander Amit Nagpal,
· Commander Sanjeev Gupta
· Sailor Ragesh
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All ex-Indian Navies were employees of Qatar’s Dahra Global
The eight men had begun working for a private company, Al Dahra Global Technologies, owned by two ex-servicemen of Qatar armed forces from 2018 onwards, shortly after the renewal of the India-Qatar Defence Cooperation Agreement for five more years. Dahra Global provided training and other services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies.
The eight were arrested by the Qatari domestic intelligence agency State Security Bureau sometime in mid-September last year and the first public knowledge about their arrest crept out after they spoke to their families on September 30 last year.
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Glimmer of hope
A faint hope emerges for the 8 veterans in the “2015-Pact” between India & Qatar’, according to which –‘in case their death sentence is commuted to imprisonment
Under it, Indian nationals sentenced in Qatar can be sent to their home country to serve the remaining part of their term.
Qatari citizens convicted in India also can be sent to their home country to serve their sentence
The agreement was signed to facilitate the social rehabilitation of the sentenced people
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All 8 worked on sensitive project, and were convicted of ‘spying for Israel’
Dateline Qatar:
2018-20: Eight naval retired personnel start working on a sensitive project for the Qatar Navy
Aug 30, 2022: All eight along with the owner of the company Al Dahra Global Technologies arrested
Nov 2022: Al Dahra owner, a retired Sqn Leader, was released
March 29, 2023: Trial began, all 8 served solitary confinement hinting at security-related issue
Sept 30: All were permitted a ‘brief telephonic contact’ with family
Oct 1: Indian envoy Deepak Mittal, now in PMO, met the detained men
Oct 3: Qatar court conducted the seventh hearing in the case
Oct 26: All eight sentenced to death; media reports say charged with spying for Israel on Qatar’s stealth submarines
Charges were also framed against two Qataris, including former Oman Air Force officer Khamis al-Ajmi, who was also the CEO of Dahra Global. Qatar’s then Head of International Military Operations Major Gen Tariq Khalid Al Obaidi was the other Qatari national to be interrogated.
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Rashmi Talwar Saanjh-Togetherness 