Qatar court awards death penalty to 8 Indian Navy veterans; "deeply shocked" MEA exploring all legal options

New Delhi: India has expressed "deep shock" over the death penalty pronounced by a Qatar court against eight former Indian Navy personnel, working for Al Dahra company.

The Court of First Instance of Qatar gave the verdict on charges not made public by the country's authorities.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said: "We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options."

The External Affairs Ministry said, it attaches high importance to this case and has been following it closely. The Ministry will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance and will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities.

The eight Indian nationals were detained in Qatar on August 30 last year.

The Ministry said, "We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities".

"Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," MEA said.

The eight men were working for Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provided training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces and security agencies.

Their bail pleas were rejected numerous times and their detention was extended by Qatari authorities. (UNI)