CNN: Indian Nationals Sentenced to Death in Qatar on Espionage Charges Finally Freed After Pressure from Government
Eight Indian nationals, ex-servicemen of the Indian Navy, who were detained and sentenced to death in Qatar on alleged espionage charges have finally been released. This comes after months of pressure from the Indian government and widespread attention on the case, considered a test of diplomacy for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on Monday welcoming the return of seven of the eight detained individuals, working for Dahra Global Technologies, a defense services provider in Qatar. The move comes after their conviction, shrouded in secrecy and without clear charges, last August.
CNN affiliate CNN-News18 reported at the time that the Indians had been detained on spying charges, but these could not be independently verified. The Indian government has not shared details about the charges, citing the confidential nature of the case.
The Qatari authorities have not publicly addressed the case, but the Indian ministry has previously announced that their death sentences were reduced, with a detailed judgement to come. After being released, several of the men expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and his government for their personal intervention in securing their return.
This case has put the spotlight on the close trade relationship between India and Qatar, with hundreds of thousands of Indians making up a quarter of Qatar’s population and a substantial part of its foreign workforce. The release of the eight nationals comes at a crucial time for Modi’s government, just a few months before the Indian election and his potential third term in power.
