More than eighteen months after the arrest that damaged diplomatic relations, Qatar has freed eight former Indian navy personnel from death sentences, according to a statement from India’s foreign ministry on Monday. The emir of Qatar is credited with making this decision.
Sources claim that the individuals were suspected of espionage for Israel; however, neither Qatar nor India confirmed the accusations. The death sentence that had been imposed on them in October was revoked in December.
The foreign secretary of India informed reporters that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who “personally supervised all developments” in the case, will visit Qatar on February 14 and meet with its ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Seven of the men, according to India, have returned home, and attempts were on to get the eighth citizen back. Upon their arrival in New Delhi, a few of the guys told the local media that Modi’s assistance had been instrumental in their release.
According to one of the individuals, “it wouldn’t have been possible without his personal intervention and his equation with Qatar,” ANI was informed. The males were all unnamed.
After the men were taken into custody in August 2022 and the case raised questions about ties with Doha—one of the world’s largest energy importers—New Delhi held months-long negotiations with Qatar.
A person with knowledge of the situation stated that the individuals, who worked for a private company, were assisting the Qatari Navy with various projects and operations.
The announcement of the release coincides with the signing of the largest single contract between Indian and Qatari businesses for LNG supplies, as well as with Modi’s meeting with Sheikh Tamim in December during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, where they talked about the “well-being of the Indian community in Qatar”.
In Qatar, there are around 800,000 Indian citizens who work and reside.
On the sidelines of the #COP28 Summit in Dubai yesterday, had the opportunity to meet HH Sheikh @TamimBinHamad, the Amir of Qatar. We had a good conversation on the potential of bilateral partnership and the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/66a2Zxb6gP
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 2, 2023
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