Expressing happiness one of the veterans said, "We would like to thank PM Modi, this was only possible because of his personal intervention."
Published Feb 12, 2024 | 11:47 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 12, 2024 | 11:47 AM
Qatar flag.
Qatar has released eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel nearly three-and-a-half months after they were handed down death sentences in a case of suspected espionage.
The entire nation has been rejoicing the move and hailing the Modi government for their rescue efforts.
The Opposition Congress too has joined the entire nation sharing relief and happiness at the release of the former Navy personnel, and it greeted them and their families.
Speaking to the news agency ANI, one of the veterans expressed happiness on returning home, he added, “We are very happy that we are back in India, safely. Definitely, we would like to thank PM Modi, as this was only possible because of his personal intervention.”
#WATCH | Delhi: One of the Navy veterans who returned from Qatar says, “We are very happy that we are back in India, safely. Definitely, we would like to thank PM Modi, as this was only possible because of his personal intervention…” pic.twitter.com/iICC1p7YZr
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2024
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said seven of them have returned to India and that India appreciates the decision by the Amir of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of the Indians.
“The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar,” the MEA said.
“Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” it said in a brief statement.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “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.”
“It sends its greetings and good wishes to them and their families,” he said.
Another Congress leader Praful Patel too hailed the Indian government for their swift and effective action.
He further wrote: “Heartily welcome the decision to release 8 Indian citizens from Qatar. This gesture strengthens the India-Qatar bond, showcasing the power of diplomacy.”
A fantastic victory for Indian diplomacy!
Heartily welcome the decision to release 8 Indian citizens from Qatar. This gesture strengthens the India-Qatar bond, showcasing the power of diplomacy. Kudos to the government for swift, effective action!— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) February 12, 2024
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor too had expressed relief on the release of Navy personnel.
Taking to X, he wrote: “A matter of quiet celebration for all Indians — that eight of our compatriots who were sentenced to death in Qatar have been freed & returned home.”
He further congratulated all those who worked quietly behind the scenes for their release.
It’s a huge relief —and a matter of quiet celebration for all Indians — that eight of our compatriots who were sentenced to death in Qatar have been freed & returned home. Congratulations to all those who worked quietly behind the scenes for their release. https://t.co/dJTcQEspEr
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 12, 2024
The Navy veterans were on 26 October given death sentences by Qatar’s Court of First Instance.
The Court of Appeal in the Gulf nation on 28 December commuted the capital punishment and sentenced them to jail terms for varying durations.
The Indian nationals, who worked with the private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August 2022 reportedly in an alleged case of espionage.
Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.
The charges were filed against the eight Indian Navy veterans on 25 March last year and they were tried under Qatari law.
After the Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence, the Indian nationals were given 60 days to appeal against the order of their jail terms.
In May last year, Al-Dhara Global closed its operations in Doha and all those working there (primarily Indians) have since returned home.
India was also looking at the possibility of invoking provisions of a bilateral pact on the transfer of sentenced persons.
The pact inked between India and Qatar in 2015 provides for citizens of India and Qatar who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal offences to serve their sentences in their home country.
(With PTI inputs)
