New Delhi says Qatar court commuted death sentence to 8 Indian nationals

A QATARI court has commuted the death sentence given to eight former Indian Navy personnel in an alleged case of espionage, India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (28).

"We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced," the ministry said in a statement in New Delhi.

The eight former personnel of the Indian Navy, arrested in an alleged case of espionage, were given the death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance in October.

Read: Qatar accepts India’s appeal against death penalty to former navy officials: report

The Indian nationals, all employees of Doha-based Dahra Global, were taken into custody in August last year.

The charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities. India had moved the Court of Appeal in Qatar against the death sentence last month.

Read: Qatar death sentence to 8 Indians: Opposition says Modi government didn’t take matter seriously earlier

"Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities," the statement said.

Noting that a detailed judgement was awaited, the ministry said it was in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.

"Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," the MEA said.

(With PTI inputs)