ISLAMABAD: After eight months in custody facing serious espionage charges, eight Indian naval officers are now facing potential death sentence in Qatar. Officials, who have worked at various positions in Indian Navy are accused of spying for Israel. Accused have been identified as working for Indian intelligence agency, RAW.

They were reportedly caught carrying out espionage activities in Qatar. According to country’s investigative agency, these officials provided Israel details of Qatar’s secret programme to buy advanced submarines from Italy. Chief executive officer of private defence company and head of international military operations of Qatar have also been arrested in same case. All eight officers of Indian Navy were also employed in same company.

Accused are set to face serious charges, including possibility of death penalty, at their upcoming court hearing on May 3. Qatar has strict laws against national security, espionage and disclosure of national secrets, punishable by death. Indian politicians on other hand are accused of attempting to cover up issue, but it appears to be futile effort. Indian nationals have been held in custody in Qatar for eight months on serious espionage charges but Indian officials are yet to talk to their Qatari counterparts over potential sentencing. Qatari authorities said that they have technical evidence supporting allegations. While Qatari government has taken strong stance on espionage and security matters, Indian leadership has not publicly addressed issue or engaged in high-level talks with their Qatari counterparts regarding the punishment or release of imprisoned officers.

Despite efforts by Indian politicians to cover up issue, imprisonment of eight Indian Navy officers in Qatar for espionage, much like arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan, has become source of international embarrassment for neighbouring country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 28 2023

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