In September 2022, the Qatar government arrested 8 former Indian marines. Espionage charges were framed against them in March. The eight arrested Indian citizens are former Navy officers and worked in a Qatar-based company named Zahira Al Alami.
India has described the death sentence to eight Indian citizens arrested in Qatar as tragic and said that it will explore all legal options in this matter.
These eight are retired officers of the Indian Navy and have been in jail in Qatar since August last year. Qatar has not made public the allegations against him.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has said in a statement, "We have preliminary information that the Qatari court has given its verdict in the case related to eight Indian employees of Al Dahra Company."
According to the statement, “We are shocked by the decision to hang and are waiting for the detailed verdict. We are in touch with his family members and legal team. “We are looking at this matter with the highest priority and will take up the matter with the Qatari authorities.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media, "The Indian National Congress has taken cognizance of the extremely sad developments related to 8 former Indian Navy officers in Qatar with utmost sorrow, pain, and regret."
“We hope and expect that the Government of India will use its diplomatic and political influence with the Government of Qatar to the maximum extent possible to ensure that the authorities are fully supported in their appeals and that they are quickly Every possible effort should be made to get him released soon."
For the last few months, there has been a lot of pressure on the Indian government to get these former officers released and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has said that this matter is their 'top priority'.
Last June, Mitu Bhargava, sister of one of the former officers arrested, had sought help from the government to bring her brother back.
Mitu Bhargava had written on X, "These former Navy officers are the pride of the country and I once again appeal with folded hands to the Honorable Prime Minister that they should be brought back to India immediately without any delay."
In September 2022, the Qatar government arrested 8 former Indian marines. Espionage charges were framed against them in March.
The eight arrested Indian citizens are former Navy officers and worked in a Qatar-based company named Zahira Al Alami.
This company was working for the Qatar Navy in the submarine program. The objective of this program was to acquire submarines based on high-tech Italian technology that could avoid radar.
There were 75 Indian citizen employees in the company. Most of them were former officers of the Indian Navy. In May, the company had said that it was going to close the company from May 31, 2022.
According to media reports, some of the allegations against company chief Khamis Al Ajami and the eight arrested Indians are general, while some are of a special nature.
The eight employees arrested on espionage charges have already been dismissed and their salaries have also been settled.
Last May, Qatar ordered the company's closure and directed its approximately 70 employees to leave the country by the end of May 2023.
According to media reports, the arrested employees had given sensitive information to Israel.
According to reports in Indian media and other global media, these former marines are accused of allegedly providing information to Israel about Qatar's intelligence program related to purchasing highly advanced Italian submarines. This means that these sailors can also be accused of spying for Israel.
Qatar's intelligence agency claims that it has electronic evidence about this alleged espionage.
These former Indian Navy officers, who worked for Qatar's private security company Zahira Al Alami, used to provide various types of training to the Qatar Navy.
He was appointed under an agreement between India and Qatar.
On the company's website, it has been described as a local business partner of Qatar's Ministry of Defence, Security and other government agencies.
This private company used to provide training and services to the armed forces of Qatar.
The company describes itself as an expert in operating, repairing, and maintaining defense equipment.
Complete information about senior officers of the company and their posts is given on this website.
Many Indians are also included among them.
The company's LinkedIn page reads: "It is a leader in Qatar in operating defense equipment and training people."
It is further written, "Al Zahira Company holds a special position in Qatar in matters of security and aerospace."
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