India Appeals Death Sentences of 8 Indian Naval Veterans in Qatar

India said on Thursday that an appeal against the death sentences given to eight Indian naval veterans by a Qatari court last month has been lodged in that country.

India is pursuing mercy for the veterans through diplomatic channels in addition to pursuing all available legal alternatives.

When questioned about the case's status—about which there is very little information available to the public—spokesman for the external affairs ministry Arindam Bagchi stated that the Court of First Instance of Qatar's October 26 ruling was private and had only been given to the legal team.

"They have filed an appeal and are currently exploring other legal actions. Bagchi stated, "We will also continue to work with the Qatari authorities on this issue. The embassy in Doha was granted more consular access to the inmates on Tuesday.

Declaring that India will provide all legal and consular support, the spokesperson asked the press to refrain from conjecture.

The allegations against the seven former Indian Navy officers and one sailor were kept secret for more than a year before the Qatari court condemned them to death. About the matter, neither nation has disclosed any information. Although there has never been an official confirmation, certain media stories have suggested that the eight former military officers were detained for spying on Qatar's submarine development for Israel.

Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a defense services firm founded by an ex-Omani Air Force commander, employed all eight of the individuals who received death sentences. The business offered security services and the military forces of Qatar training among other things.