Congress Welcomes Release of Former Indian Naval Personnel from Qatar

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Feb. 
The Congress party expressed relief and happiness on Monday following Qatar’s release of eight former Indian naval personnel, nearly three and a half months after they were sentenced to death.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that seven of them have returned to India, extending gratitude to the Amir of Qatar for facilitating their release.

The Navy veterans were sentenced to death by Qatar’s Court of First Instance on October 26 last year in a case involving suspected espionage. However, on December 28, the Court of Appeal commuted their sentences to varying jail terms.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh conveyed the party’s sentiments, stating, “The Indian National Congress joins the entire nation in its relief and happiness that the eight former Indian Navy personnel earlier sentenced to death by a court in Qatar have been released and are back home.”

He extended greetings and best wishes to the released individuals and their families.

The Indian nationals, employed by the private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August 2022. The specific charges against them were not disclosed by either the Qatari authorities or New Delhi.