2023 Qatar espionage case
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| Date | August 2022 – present |
|---|---|
| Location | Qatar |
| Type | Alleged Espionage |
| Target | a secret Qatari submarine project[1] |
| Suspects | Eight former Indian Navy officers |
| Accused | All Eight |
| Convicted | Yes (according to media reports) |
| Charges | Not made public |
| Verdict | Death penalty (Judgement not released) |
In August 2022, eight Indian nationals were detained by Qatar. They are also former Indian Navy officers serving at different ranks. Charges against them were not made public by Qatari Authorities, however media reports suggested "spying for Israel". The detained men were allegedly involved in dubious activities connected to espionage.[2][3]
Background
Millions of Indian nationals reside in the Gulf region, with tens of thousands employed in semi-skilled and low-income jobs. These migrant workers have been instrumental in the development of the economies of Gulf Arab states and serve as a crucial source of remittances for India.[4]
Arrest
On 30 August 2022, eight Indian nationals namely Navtej Singh Gill, Birendra Kumar Verma, Saurabh Vasisht, Amit Nagpal, Purnendu Tiwari, Sugunakar Pakala, Sanjeev Gupta and Ragesh, were arrested from Doha by the Qatari intelligence service. They were also ex-servicemen of Indian Navy[5]
According to reports, they were in charge of teaching the Qatari Navy and were employed by a private company run by an officer from the Oman Air Force that offers training and other services to Qatar's armed forces.
The arrested Indian nationals' bail requests have been denied by Qatari authorities eight times, and their incarceration has most recently been increased. The men had their case forwarded to court by the public prosecutor.[6][7]
Case
Case has been subject to secrecy and diplomatic blockage of any imformation dispensation to the public. Neither India nor Qatar have made charges public. Up till December 2022, MEA indicated that no charges were pressed. It said "If they say that the charges have not yet been pressed, let's take it at that value." in weekly media briefing.[8]
Verdict
In October 2023, the eight former Indian naval officers working for the Al Dahra consulting company, which was advising the Qatari government on the acquisition of submarines, were handed death sentences by a Qatari court.[9] Neither Qatar nor India have revealed the specific charges against them.[4]
Reactions
The detained Indian nationals in Qatar were actively sought for Consular access by the Indian mission in Doha, according to the Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA).[10] Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the MEA, said that the Indian Embassy in Doha spoke with the Qatari government and that Indian diplomats visited the arrested officials to inquire about their wellbeing. The families of the arrested individuals are still in contact with the Indian embassy in Doha, which is also providing consular and legal support. However, the MEA withheld any information pertaining to the accusations made against the former officers.[11][12][13]
Qatari side has also maintained complete silence on allegations, and has not used the word "espionage" or "spying".[14] An Indian journalist and their spouse were also ordered by Qatari authorities to leave the country for reporting on the case.[15]
See also
- Kulbhushan Jadhav – Indian national in Pakistani custody
References
- ^ "Qatar awards death penalty to 8 ex-Indian Navy officers for espionage - Timeline". 26 October 2023.
- ^ Swami, Praveen (April 19, 2023). "8 former Navy officers imprisoned by Qatar accused of spying on emirate's super-secret submarine programme".
- ^ "8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar - report - The Jerusalem Post". 10 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Qatar sentences Indian ex-naval officers to death". BBC News. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ "Qatar court hands death sentence to eight former Indian Navy officials; 'deeply shocked' MEA exploring all legal options". The Hindu. 26 October 2023.
- ^ "Case of 8 former naval personnel detained since Aug comes up in Qatar court: MEA". Hindustan Times. April 6, 2023.
- ^ "Qatar arrests eight Indian nationals accused of spying for Israel". I24news. 20 April 2023.
- ^ Bagchi, Arindam (2022-12-29), Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson, pp. Paragraph 28
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "India 'exploring all legal options' after Qatari court sentences 8 Indians to death for spying". AP News. 26 October 2023.
- ^ MEA Press Release, 2023-10-26
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "India Seeks Release of 8 Ex-Navy Officers Arrested in Qatar Over Spying for Israel".
- ^ "8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar". WION.
- ^ "Explained: The row over 8 former Indian Navy officers being detained in Qatar". Firstpost. November 9, 2022.
- ^ "8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar; New Delhi says deeply shocked". Hindustan Times. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
- ^ "8 ex-Indian Navy officers awarded death penalty in Qatar; 'Deeply shocked', says MEA". Hindustan Times. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.