We are closely following the matter and extending all legal and consular assistance, MEA says
The Indian ambassador got consular access to meet eight former Indian Navy officials facing the death penalty in Qatar on December 3, 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (December 7, 2023).
 
India is extending all legal and consular assistance in the matter, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing.
 
Sharing an update on the case, Bagchi said that the court in Qatar has held two hearings after acceptance of India's appeal in the case.
 
"There have been two hearings. We filed an appeal, from the families, and the detainees had a final appeal. Two hearings have since been held. We are closely following the matter and extending all legal and consular assistance,” the MEA Spokesperson said.
 
“Meanwhile, our ambassador got consular access to meet all 8 of them in prison on 3rd December. This is a sensitive issue, but we will continue to follow and whatever we can share, we will do so," Bagchi added.
 
The Indian Embassy in Qatar had earlier received consular access to the imprisoned Indians in November.
 
MEA Spokesperson Bagchi also mentioned the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad on the sidelines of COP-28 in Dubai on December 1, 2023. The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations in detail and the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar, he said.
 
On October 26, 2023, a court in Qatar awarded the death penalty to eight former Indian Navy officers who had been detained for over a year. The first hearing in the case was held on March 29, 2023 after it was referred to the court by the public prosecution.
 
The Indian government expressed deep shock over the verdict and said it was exploring all available legal options to secure the release of these Indian nationals.
 
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the family members of the former Indian Navy officers in New Delhi on October 30, 2023. He assured them that the Indian government would continue to make all efforts to secure their release. The Indian authorities would coordinate closely with the families in that regard, he said after the interaction. 
 
The court proceedings have remained confidential, with neither the Qatari nor the Indian government commenting on the nature of the charges against the eight. News reports have, however, suggested that the former Indian Navy officers have been charged with espionage-related offences.