Qatar: Relief to eight Indians sentenced to death in Qatar, will take next step after legal consultation

After an appellate court in Qatar commuted the death sentence awarded to eight former Indian Navy officers to life imprisonment, India on Friday said the next step in the case would be taken after studying the court's judgment and taking legal advice.

Qatar's Appellate Court, while hearing the case filed by former naval officers, had given relief to these officers on Thursday. It is learned that the jail sentence given to former Navy personnel ranges from three to 25 years. This is a big success in Indian diplomacy.

The Indian government had started efforts to save the former Navy officers after they were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on October 26, 2023. "I have no additional information to share at this time," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing.

Punishments have been reduced. Until we have details, I don't want to comment. We will certainly discuss possible next steps with the legal team and family members. The interests of Indians and their family members are our foremost concern.

When Bagchi was asked about the 2015 agreement between India and Qatar regarding the transfer of convicted prisoners to each other country, he said, there is such an agreement. However, I need to find out whether Qatar has confirmed it or not. Under the agreement, citizens of India and Qatar can serve their sentences in their home country. Most of the passengers of the plane stopped in France

came back to India

Bagchi said most of the Indians who traveled on the plane stopped in France have come to India. Those who remain in France will be given consular assistance, if needed, from New Delhi. French authorities are dealing with the cases by local laws.

It is noteworthy that the A-340 aircraft was stopped in France on suspicion of human trafficking. There were 303 Indian passengers on board. This plane reached Mumbai on Tuesday with 276 passengers. Two suspects in Nijjar murder case

No information regarding the arrest

Regarding reports of two suspects being arrested soon in the murder case of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, Arindam Bagchi said, we do not have any information regarding this. According to the Globe and Mail newspaper report, the suspects are currently under police surveillance and may be arrested in the coming weeks.

Bagchi said that efforts are being made to ensure the return of girl Ariha to India from Germany. India is in constant touch with the authorities in Berlin. Ariha is currently in a protection home. Consular access was granted to meet Ariha, Bagchi said. I don't have any immediate updates at this time.

Regarding the low-intensity explosion near the Israeli Embassy in the Chanakyapuri area of Delhi, which is considered very safe, Arindam Bagchi said, the concerned agencies are looking into the matter. Let them complete their investigation. When asked about Israel raising the possibility of Iran's involvement in the blast, he said, “I am not aware of any such thing.

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