In a major diplomatic victory for India, eight Indian Navy veterans who were sentenced to death in Qatar were released on Monday, February 12. The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that 7 of the 8 veterans have returned to India.

“The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for Dahra Global who were detained in Qatar. Seven of the eight have returned to India. We appreciate the decision of the Emir of the State of Qatar to release and return these nationals,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement expressed in.

The seven Navy veterans who returned to India on Monday are: Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Lieutenant Colonel Punandu Tiwari, Birendra Kumar Captain Verma, Lieutenant Colonel Sugunaka Pacala, Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Gupta, Lieutenant Colonel Amit Nagpal and Sailor Ragesh. They work for a private company called Dahra Global.

The former navy officials have been held in Qatar since 2022 and charged with spying on the country’s submarine program. The former officers were reportedly in Qatar helping to introduce Italian U212 stealth submarines to the Qatari Emir’s naval forces.

Brief timeline of the case

August 30, 2022: Eight former navy officials have been arrested in Qatar for unknown reasons. The officers were placed in solitary confinement. There are reports that they were arrested by Qatari intelligence agencies on suspicion of espionage.

October 1-3, 2022: Indian Ambassador in Doha and Deputy Chief of Mission met former Navy personnel. Meanwhile, the CEO of Dahra Global also tried to help officials but was arrested. He was held in solitary confinement for two months but was later released on bail.

March 1, 2023: Repeated requests for bail by veterans have been rejected in Qatar.

March 25, 2023: Charges were filed against the eight people and a trial under Qatari law began on March 29.

May 2023: Dahra Global shuts operations in Doha. After the company closed in the Qatari capital, its former employees, mostly Indians, returned home.

August 4, 2023: The arrested man was moved from solitary confinement to a prison ward.

October 26, 2023: All eight men were sentenced to death by a Qatari court.

November 9, 2023: Indian authorities informed that they have appealed to Qatar against the release and death penalty of eight former navy personnel.

November 23, 2023: Qatar court hears India’s appeal against death penalty.

December 1, 2023: Prime Minister Modi met the Emir of Qatar in Dubai.

December 28, 2023: A Qatari court overturned the death sentences of eight Indian Navy veterans.

February 12, 2024: The Indian government announced the release of all eight former military officers and thanked the Emir of Qatar for facilitating their release. Seven of the eight veterans arrived in India.