Death sentence to 8 Indians in Qatar: EAM Jaishankar meets family members

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met the family members of eight Indian nationals who were handed down death sentences by a Qatari court, and conveyed to them that the government attaches “highest importance” to the case.

Jaishankar also told the family members that the government will make all efforts to secure the release of the Indians.

The eight former Indian Navy personnel were on Thursday handed down death sentences by Qatar’s Court of First Instance.

India described the ruling as “deeply” shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case. “Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar.Stressed that the Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families,” Jaishankar said on X.

“Underlined that the Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard,” he said.

The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.