In a discreet yet crucial diplomatic maneuver, India has embarked on efforts to resolve the alarming situation surrounding eight former Indian Navy personnel who have been sentenced to death by a Qatari court. This issue has garnered international attention due to the potential life-threatening consequences for these individuals. Despite the urgency of the matter, authorities in both India and Qatar have maintained a tight-lipped stance.
The case has been shrouded in silence, with Qatari authorities notably avoiding any mention of it in the country’s media. People familiar with the situation revealed that India is yet to formally receive a copy of the verdict from Qatar’s Court of First Instance.
This silence extended into the official sphere, as the Indian government refrained from providing further comments following the external affairs ministry’s statement expressing deep shock at the Qatari court’s verdict. However, undisclosed sources disclosed that “quiet efforts” have been initiated through diplomatic and official channels to seek a resolution to this deeply concerning matter.
Among the options being explored is the possibility of filing an appeal against the verdict. Additionally, there is the potential to utilize a 2015 agreement signed between India and Qatar for the transfer of convicted prisoners. This agreement permits prisoners to serve their sentences in their home countries.
The agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons was ratified by Qatar in the same year and was one of six pacts signed during the state visit to India by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.
Furthermore, there is the option of approaching the International Court of Justice, a course of action taken in the case of former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was detained by Pakistani authorities in 2016 and subsequently sentenced to death by a military court on charges of alleged espionage.
Curiously, there has been no response or statement from the former employer of the eight men, Oman-based Dahra Engineering & Security Services, which owned the now-defunct Dahra Global Technologies & Consultancy Services. Dahra Global was closed down in May this year and replaced by Advanced Services and Maintenance.
At the time of their detention, all eight men were employed by Dahra Global Technologies & Consultancy Services, a private company that offered training and other services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies. Their roles were linked to overseeing the introduction of Italian-made midget stealth submarines into the Qatari Navy, adding further complexity to this sensitive issue.
Sources By Agencies
