Qatar frees 8 jailed Indian Navy veterans, diplomatic win for New Delhi

Eight Indian Navy veterans, who have been in jail in Qatar over spying allegations, have been launched, the Indian authorities confirmed on Monday.

Seven of them have already returned to India.

Confirming the event, the Indian authorities stated in an announcement: “The Government of India welcomes the discharge of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global firm who have been detained in Qatar.”

“Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We admire the choice by the Amir of the State of Qatar to allow the discharge and home-coming of those nationals,” the assertion stated.

The arrested personnel have been Purnendu Tiwari, Sugunakar Pakala, Amit Nagpal, and Sanjeev Gupta, who’re Commanders, and Navtej Singh Gill, Birendra Kumar Verma, and Saurabh Vasisht, who’re Captains and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar.

Navy veterans thank Narendra Modi

After returning dwelling, the Navy veterans praised Indian PM Narendra Modi for securing their launch.

“We are very pleased that we’re again in India, safely. (*8*), we want to thank PM Modi as this was solely attainable due to his private intervention,” one of many veterans informed NDTV.

Another launched veteran informed the Indian information channel: “We waited nearly for 18 months to be again in India. We are extraordinarily grateful to the PM. It wouldn’t have been attainable with out his private intervention and his equation with Qatar.”

All eight have been in jail since August final yr and have been handed demise sentences on October 26, after a quick trial in March. Bail was denied quite a few occasions throughout their incarceration and trial.

Where have been the veterans working in Qatar?

The eight have been working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services after they have been arrested.