The Indian government said on Thursday that a court in Qatar had lowered the death sentences given to eight former members of the Indian Navy last month in relation to an alleged espionage case.
The Court of Appeal of Qatar lowered the death penalties in the Dahra Global case, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It said that a thorough ruling on the subject is pending, but it did not state what the court had ruled.
This comes just a few weeks after the Indian government’s appeal against the Navy veterans’ death sentences was granted by Qatar’s Court of First Instance.
Notably, Indian authorities are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps.
“We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced. The detailed judgement is awaited,” MEA said in an official statement.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present at the Court of Appeal today, along with family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter, and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities,” it added.
