We survived only because of our defence training, says Navy veteran released from Qatar
10 months, 1 week ago

We survived only because of our defence training, says Navy veteran released from Qatar

The Hindu  

Ragesh Gopakumar, one of the eight ex-Indian Navy personnel released by the Qatar government, said on February 14 that they survived the prison days only due to their defence training. He, along with seven other former Navy personnel returned on Monday, nearly three-and-a-half months after a Qatari court handed them a death sentence that was subsequently commuted to varying jail terms. Mr. Gopakumar, who served as a Petty Officer in the Navy, said he had retired in 2017 and later joined the Oman Defence training company as a communications instructor. In December last year, Prime Minister Modi met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai and discussed the well-being of Indians there.

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History of this topic

Kin of eighth naval veteran appeals to Indian government for his return from Doha
4 weeks ago

Kin of eighth naval veteran appeals to Indian government for his return from Doha

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Kin of Commander Purnendu Tiwari released along with seven others from Doha jail is pleading for the Indian government's intervention to facilitate his return. Purnendu Tiwari is among the eight naval veterans who were jailed in August 2022 in Qatar. While seven others have returned to India since February 12, 2024, the eighth naval veteran, Tiwari, was not …

Eighth Indian Navy veteran yet to return from Qatar
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Eighth Indian Navy veteran yet to return from Qatar

The Hindu  

The eighth Indian Navy veteran — Commander Purnendu Tiwari — is yet to return from Qatar, confirmed the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. “The Eighth Indian navy veteran from Qatar is yet to return to India. The eight Indian Navy veterans were sentenced to death by a Qatari court in October 2023 but the sentence was subsequently commuted by …

We did nothing wrong; we aren’t enemies of Qatar: freed former Naval officer
10 months, 1 week ago

We did nothing wrong; we aren’t enemies of Qatar: freed former Naval officer

The Hindu  

Days after returning to India after his release along with other colleagues and former Naval personnel accused of espionage in Qatar, former Indian Naval Commander Amit Nagpal says he has no idea of why they had been arrested. He said, “’Yes, you’re going home.’ and that’s the moment I realised…” Before that we had no clue at all about what’s …

Navy veteran returns home in Dehradun from Doha; family delighted
10 months, 1 week ago

Navy veteran returns home in Dehradun from Doha; family delighted

Live Mint  

Captain Saurabh Vashisht’s family finally breathed a sigh of relief when the Navy veteran, one of the eight officers freed by Qatar, returned to his Dehradun home. Now that I’m standing in Dehradun, it’s all because of the personal intervention of PM Modi with the Qatar government, this day has come, and I am standing here in Dehradun with my …

'We survived only because of our defence training', says Navy veteran released from Qatar
10 months, 1 week ago

'We survived only because of our defence training', says Navy veteran released from Qatar

New Indian Express  

The ex-Navy man said, "Prison and confinement is something terrible. Whenever someone enquired what the plight of his family had been when he was in prison, he would ask them to imagine a situation where a husband who used to speak to his wife at least five times a day suddenly stopped calling her." The former Navy veteran attributed his …

Navy Veterans’ return from Qatar a diplomatic coup
10 months, 1 week ago

Navy Veterans’ return from Qatar a diplomatic coup

New Indian Express  

The curious case of the Qatar Eight ended as suddenly as it began. On Sunday morning, the eight Indian Navy veterans, who were jailed in the emirate since October 2022 on unclear espionage charges were asked to pack their belongings. By 2 am on Monday, seven of them—captains Navtej Singh Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, commanders Birendra Verma, Amit Nagpal, Sugunakar …

Shah Rukh Khan denies reports of his role in release of Navy officials from Qatar
10 months, 1 week ago

Shah Rukh Khan denies reports of his role in release of Navy officials from Qatar

India TV News  

Shah Rukh Khan has denied reports suggesting that he had role in the release of Indian Navy officers from Qatar saying any such assertions are 'unfounded' adding execution of this successful resolution solely rests with the government. Taking to social media platform X, SRK's team posted, "Regarding the reports concerning Shah Rukh Khan's purported role in the release of India's …

Qatar frees Indian ex-navy men; 7 back home in India: Legal battle decoded
10 months, 1 week ago

Qatar frees Indian ex-navy men; 7 back home in India: Legal battle decoded

Hindustan Times  

Qatar has freed eight former Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death after being detained in August 2022 on undeclared charges, with New Delhi announcing on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Doha this week to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations. Definitely, we would like to thank PM Modi, as this was only possible because of …

India elated as Qatar releases 8 navy veterans
10 months, 1 week ago

India elated as Qatar releases 8 navy veterans

The Hindu  

Eight Indian navy veterans who had been in Qatari custody since August 30, 2022 were released on Sunday in Doha. The eighth Indian has also been released and we continue to work with the Qatar government to see how quickly his return to India would be possible,” said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. The Hindu had published earlier that both …

Qatar frees Indian Navy veterans: What happened on Sunday night?
10 months, 1 week ago

Qatar frees Indian Navy veterans: What happened on Sunday night?

Hindustan Times  

Seven of the eight Indian Navy veterans, who returned to India on Monday morning, had no clue of their imminent release, NDTV reported citing sources. The Indian Navy veterans were accused of spying for Israel, news agency Reuters reported, though India and Qatar did not confirm the charges against them. Timeline of the case On October 26, 2023, the Indian …

Narendra Modi government ensures release of 8 ex-Navy officers from Qatar prison
10 months, 1 week ago

Narendra Modi government ensures release of 8 ex-Navy officers from Qatar prison

Op India  

On Monday, 12th February, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that eight former Navy officers, who were sentenced to death in Qatar were released. The former Navy officers thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal intervention in the matter and the Government of India’s consistent efforts that led to their release. It has come to light that PM Modi’s …

Navy veterans released: How Congress and their mouthpieces had ranted against Modi govt on the Qatar issue
10 months, 1 week ago

Navy veterans released: How Congress and their mouthpieces had ranted against Modi govt on the Qatar issue

Op India  

On 12th February, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that the eight Indian Navy veterans who were sentenced to jail and later commuted to prison in Qatar were released. In a post on X, while sharing the statement, Jairam wrote, “Here is my statement on the continued detention of retired Indian Navy personnel in Qatar, a country with which Modani …

Narendra Modi’s points man NSA Ajit Doval delivers, 8 ex-Navy officers freed by Qatar
10 months, 1 week ago

Narendra Modi’s points man NSA Ajit Doval delivers, 8 ex-Navy officers freed by Qatar

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal relationship with the Emir of Qatar and behind-the-scenes diplomacy by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval ensured that the eight former Indian Navy personnel were released from custody. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. PM Modi met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 …

How Indian Navy veterans, released by Qatar, reacted after arriving in Delhi
10 months, 1 week ago

How Indian Navy veterans, released by Qatar, reacted after arriving in Delhi

Hindustan Times  

Seven of the eight Indian Navy veterans, who were released by Qatar months after being sentenced to death on 'espionage' charges, heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after on arrival in New Delhi on Monday morning. Relieved to finally walk free, the seven former Indian Navy officers raised chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” at the Delhi airport, reported …

‘Wouldn’t have been possible without…’ say Indian Navy veterans
10 months, 1 week ago

‘Wouldn’t have been possible without…’ say Indian Navy veterans

Live Mint  

Indian Navy veterans, who has been put on death row by Qatar authorities on charges of espionage, have returned to India, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed. The released Indian Navy veterans heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that they would not have been freed had it not been for the sustained diplomatic efforts on PM Modi's …

How Modi government pulled off safe release of 8 Navy veterans from Qatar
10 months, 1 week ago

How Modi government pulled off safe release of 8 Navy veterans from Qatar

India Today  

The Narendra Modi government has pulled off a major diplomatic victory just ahead of the general elections by securing the release of eight former Indian Navy personnel, facing spying charges, from the Qatar government. There had been huge expectations from the Modi dispensation on the safe release of the veterans ever since the courts in Qatar had, in December last …

Qatar releases 8 Indian Navy veterans jailed on espionage charges, 7 back in India
10 months, 1 week ago

Qatar releases 8 Indian Navy veterans jailed on espionage charges, 7 back in India

India Today  

In a major diplomatic victory for India, Qatar has released eight former Indian Navy personnel who were detained in the Gulf country in an alleged case of espionage. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement released early on Monday, welcomed the development and said seven of the eight former Indian Navy personnel working for the Dahra Global Company, a …

Qatar releases 8 Indian Navy veterans jailed on espionage charges, 7 return to India | VIDEO
10 months, 1 week ago

Qatar releases 8 Indian Navy veterans jailed on espionage charges, 7 return to India | VIDEO

India TV News  

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Qatar released eight Indian Navy veterans who were previously sentenced to death on espionage charges. Official response The Union government welcomed Qatar's decision to release the Indian nationals, expressing gratitude to the Amir of Qatar for facilitating their return. The Union government released an official statement welcoming the decision to set the veteran officers free, …

Eight former Indian Navy personnel jailed in Qatar released
10 months, 1 week ago

Eight former Indian Navy personnel jailed in Qatar released

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: The eight Indian naval veterans, who were in captivity in Doha have been released, in what can be termed as a 'diplomatic coup' for India. One veteran, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, is still in Doha though he is out of captivity. The eight Indian naval veterans, who worked for Dhara Global in Doha, were taken into custody on August …

Who are 8 Indian Navy veterans released by Qatar? Know the timeline of India's diplomatic victory
10 months, 1 week ago

Who are 8 Indian Navy veterans released by Qatar? Know the timeline of India's diplomatic victory

India TV News  

Qatar's release of eight Indian Navy veterans, who were sentenced to death on espionage charges, marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough between India and Qatar. India swiftly mobilised diplomatic channels and legal assistance to secure the release of the veterans after expressing "deep shock" at their death sentence by Qatar’s Court of First Instance. Welcoming Qatar court's decision The Indian government …

India welcomes release of eight Indian Navy veterans detained in Qatar
10 months, 1 week ago

India welcomes release of eight Indian Navy veterans detained in Qatar

The Hindu  

India on February 12 welcomed the release of eight Indian nationals who were arrested in Qatar on August 30, 2022 and were given death sentence last October. “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. #WATCH | Delhi: Qatar released the eight Indian ex-Navy veterans who …

8 Indian Navy veterans sentenced to death in Qatar finally released, thank PM Modi and Govt of India for getting them back home
10 months, 2 weeks ago

8 Indian Navy veterans sentenced to death in Qatar finally released, thank PM Modi and Govt of India for getting them back home

Op India  

On 12th February, eight Indian Navy veterans who were given the death penalty in Qatar four months ago were finally released from captivity. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals.” Seven of the eight Indian Navy veterans have returned to India. Speaking to ANI, the Navy …

A quiet reprieve: On former Indian naval personnel and the Qatar court’s verdict
11 months, 3 weeks ago

A quiet reprieve: On former Indian naval personnel and the Qatar court’s verdict

The Hindu  

The decision of the Qatari court of appeals to reduce the capital punishment handed down in October to eight former Indian naval personnel is a major reprieve for the men and their families, and spells relief for the government that has been pursuing diplomatic channels for leniency. While the detailed judgment is still awaited more than 24 hours after the …

Decision on next steps after studying Qatar verdict on ex-navy personnel: MEA
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Decision on next steps after studying Qatar verdict on ex-navy personnel: MEA

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: A day after a Qatari court commuted the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy personnel, India said on Friday it will decide on possible next steps after studying the detailed verdict and discussing the matter with the legal team and the families of the men. Qatar’s Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence and gave the men …

OPINION | MODI DIPLOMACY: HOW DEATH PENALTY FOR INDIANS WAS COMMUTED IN QATAR
11 months, 3 weeks ago

OPINION | MODI DIPLOMACY: HOW DEATH PENALTY FOR INDIANS WAS COMMUTED IN QATAR

India TV News  

The Court of Appeal in Qatar has commuted the death sentence given to eight former Indian Navy personnel on charges of alleged espionage. The eight former Navy personnel, Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal and Sailer Ragesh were working in Qatar for a …

Qatar court commutes death sentences to eight former India Navy officials
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Qatar court commutes death sentences to eight former India Navy officials

Op India  

In a significant victory for India, a court in Qatar has commuted the death sentence awarded to eight former Indian Navy personnel to jail terms. “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced,” the MEA said in the press release. The MEA further …

Relief for 8 Indian Navy veterans on death row in Qatar as court reduces punishment
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Relief for 8 Indian Navy veterans on death row in Qatar as court reduces punishment

India Today  

A Qatar court has reduced the death sentences awarded to eight former Indian Navy personnel last month in connection with an alleged case of espionage, the Indian government said on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said the Court of Appeal of Qatar reduced the death sentences in the Dahra Global case. The development comes weeks after …

Our envoy met all 8 men on December 3: MEA on death penalty to ex-Indian Navy personnel
1 year ago

Our envoy met all 8 men on December 3: MEA on death penalty to ex-Indian Navy personnel

India TV News  

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that the case regarding the eight Indian Navy officials given a death sentence in Qatar is now being heard at the Qatari Court of Appeal and that the Indian envoy to Doha has received consular access to meet all the eight men on December 3. All of the former Navy officers had …

8 former Navy officers can serve jail sentence in India under 2014 agreement with Qatar: Expert
1 year ago

8 former Navy officers can serve jail sentence in India under 2014 agreement with Qatar: Expert

Op India  

The former Indian Naval officers whose conviction has been reduced to jail terms in Qatar can serve their sentence in Indian prison due to an earlier agreement between New Delhi and Doha, senior advocate Adish Aggarwala said on Thursday. Former Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral MS Pawar called this a matter of “great relief” and thanked the “relentless efforts” of …

Ex-Navy Men in Qatar Meet Indian Envoy
1 year ago

Ex-Navy Men in Qatar Meet Indian Envoy

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: India’s ambassador in Qatar was given consular access on December 3 to eight Indian nationals and former naval personnel sentenced to death by a Qatari court in October this year and had met all of them that day, the MEA said on Thursday. At his weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi did not give any definite reply …

Death Sentence to Indian Nationals Could Roil India-Qatar Relations
1 year ago

Death Sentence to Indian Nationals Could Roil India-Qatar Relations

The Diplomat  

India’s relations with Qatar, which have warmed considerably over the last 15 years, have hit a bit of turbulence. On October 26, Qatar’s Court of First Instance handed out a death penalty to eight former Indian Navy personnel working with Al Dahra Global Technologies, an Oman-headquartered private defense services provider. Why didn’t New Delhi leverage its close ties with Qatar …

Govt working flat-out to save veterans facing death in Qatar: Admiral Kumar
1 year ago

Govt working flat-out to save veterans facing death in Qatar: Admiral Kumar

The Hindu  

The government is working hard to save eight former naval personnel sentenced to death by a Qatari court, Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar said on Friday. I want to reassure you that the Indian government is working all-out to ensure that they are brought back," Mr. Kumar said at a media briefing. Reacting to the ruling by the Qatari …

All-out effort to ensure return of veterans on death row in Qatar: Navy chief
1 year ago

All-out effort to ensure return of veterans on death row in Qatar: Navy chief

Hindustan Times  

The government is making an all-out effort to ensure that the former Indian Navy personnel, who have been sentenced to death in Qatar, are brought back, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Friday. Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar at a press conference ahead of the Navy Day celebrations. “There is total support and effort being put …

Qatar court accepts ex-Indian navy personnel's appeal against death sentence
1 year ago

Qatar court accepts ex-Indian navy personnel's appeal against death sentence

The Hindu  

A Qatari court has accepted the appeal document on the sentencing of eight former Indian naval personnel to death, sources familiar with the matter said. The MEA also urged everyone to refrain from "engaging in speculation" due to the sensitive nature of the case, adding that the Indian Embassy received another consular access on November 7. MEA chief spokesperson Arindam …

Death sentence to 8 Indians in Qatar: EAM Jaishankar meets family members
1 year, 1 month ago

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

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met the family members of eight Indian nationals who were handed down death sentence by a Qatari court. Jaishankar conveyed to 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 sentence …

All efforts for release of eight men sentenced to death in Qatar: Jaishankar tells families
1 year, 1 month ago

All efforts for release of eight men sentenced to death in Qatar: Jaishankar tells families

The Hindu  

Days after a Qatar court handed down a death sentence to eight Indian naval veterans, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with their families in Delhi, and both he and Naval Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar promised in separate statements that the government would make “all efforts”, to help release the men. fully share the concerns and pain of the …

qatar death sentence to former indian navy officials s jaishankar meets families says government will make all efforts
1 year, 1 month ago

qatar death sentence to former indian navy officials s jaishankar meets families says government will make all efforts

ABP News  

External Affairs Minister has met with the families of eight former Indian Navy officials who have been in detention in Qatar since August 2022 and were recently awarded a death sentence. Underlined that Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release.… — Dr. S. Jaishankar October 30, 2023 This comes after India expressed deep concern over the …

Jaishankar meets family members of 8 former Navy officers given death verdict in Qatar
1 year, 1 month ago

Jaishankar meets family members of 8 former Navy officers given death verdict in Qatar

India TV News  

Days after a court in Qatar pronounced death sentences to eight former Indian Navy personnel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met their family members and conveyed to them that the case is of utmost importance to the government. Meanwhile, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said, "Every effort is being made by the government to ensure we …

'Shrouded in mystery, opacity': Shashi Tharoor on case of 8 Indians given death sentence in Qatar
1 year, 1 month ago

'Shrouded in mystery, opacity': Shashi Tharoor on case of 8 Indians given death sentence in Qatar

Hindustan Times  

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the death sentence given to eight Indians who were in the Navy by the Qatar authorities is shocking. As Tharoor expressed confidence in the external affairs ministry and PM Modi that they will act immediately with the highest levels of the Qatar government to bring them home, the Congress MP said the details of the …

Eight ex-Indian Navy officers jailed in Qatar awarded death penalty, India condemns the decision
1 year, 1 month ago

Eight ex-Indian Navy officers jailed in Qatar awarded death penalty, India condemns the decision

Op India  

On Thursday, October 26, the Court of First Instance of Qatar awarded a death sentence to the eight decorated ex-Indian Navy officers whom the Qatari intelligence service had arrested in Doha last year on charges of espionage. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reacted strongly to the verdict saying that India is “deeply shocked.” MEA added that it would continue …

Explained: Case linked to Qatar court's death sentence to former Indian Navy personnel
1 year, 1 month ago

Explained: Case linked to Qatar court's death sentence to former Indian Navy personnel

Hindustan Times  

A Qatar court on Thursday announced a death penalty to eight former Indian Navy personnel who have been detained in the country for over a year. The men were working for a defence service provider organisation — Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services — owned by a retired member of the Royal Omani Air Force. The eight Navy veterans have …

8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar; New Delhi says deeply shocked
1 year, 1 month ago

8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar; New Delhi says deeply shocked

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: A court in Qatar on Thursday gave the death sentence to eight former Indian Navy personnel held on unspecified charges since August 2022, with the Indian government expressing deep shock at the verdict and saying it is “exploring all legal options”. The MEA statement said the authorities were in touch with the family of the eight personnel and …

Eight former Indian Navy officers get death penalty in Qatar
1 year, 1 month ago

Eight former Indian Navy officers get death penalty in Qatar

The Hindu  

Eight former Indian Navy personnel, who had been employed by a company in Doha, were handed the death penalty by a local court in Doha on October 26 in an alleged case of espionage. In their work with Dahra Global Technologies and Consultant Services, the former navy personnel were reportedly involved in training various security-related service providers of the State …

8 Indians sentenced to death in Qatar were arrested over friendly banter with a diplomat: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

8 Indians sentenced to death in Qatar were arrested over friendly banter with a diplomat: Report

Op India  

On 26th October, a court in Qatar awarded death sentences to eight ex-Indian Navy officers. While the details of the allegations against the Indians are not known, apart from the claim that they are accused of spying for Israel, a media report dated 6th December 2022 claimed that the Indian nationals were arrested over a “friendly banter with a diplomat …

Indian officials get consular access to 8 ex-Indian Navy men detained in Qatar
1 year, 11 months ago

Indian officials get consular access to 8 ex-Indian Navy men detained in Qatar

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: Indian officials were on Thursday given consular access for the second time to eight former Indian Navy personnel detained in Qatar on unspecified charges, with the external affairs ministry saying it is pursuing the case for the speedy release of the men. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi declined to respond to a question on the possible charges …

With Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Doha, calls grow for release of 8 ex-Navy men
2 years, 1 month ago

With Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Doha, calls grow for release of 8 ex-Navy men

The Hindu  

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar arrived in Doha on Sunday to represent India at the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup, even as family members of the eight retired Indian naval officers imprisoned in Qatar, have stepped up calls for the government to intervene in their release. “Looking forward to the opening ceremony of the mega sporting event FIFA World Cup and …

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