MyronMullet1862 at 10:09, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T10:09:53Z

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{{Short description|Case in Qatar against Indian Navy Officers}}
{{Infobox event
| name = 2023 Qatar Case against Retired Indian Navy Officers
| image =
| caption =
| location = [[Doha]], Qatar
| target = A secret Qatari [[submarine]] project<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/indian-nationals-sentenced-to-death-in-qatar-for-espionage-on-behalf-of-israel-11698318334914.html | title=Qatar awards death penalty to 8 ex-Indian Navy officers for espionage - Timeline | date=26 October 2023 | access-date=26 October 2023 | archive-date=26 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026163958/https://www.livemint.com/news/world/indian-nationals-sentenced-to-death-in-qatar-for-espionage-on-behalf-of-israel-11698318334914.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
| date = August 2022 – February 2024
| type = [[Espionage]]
| outcome = All released
| suspects = Eight former [[Indian Navy]] officers
| accused = All eight
| convicted = Yes, commuted in higher appeal
| charges = Not made public
| verdict = Formerly [[Capital punishment|death penalty]], commuted to jail sentences
}}

In August 2022, eight former [[Indian Navy]] officers were detained in [[Doha]], Qatar. While charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities, media reports speculated that they were "spying for Israel", which was later found to be untrue. The spying allegations were never made or accepted by either of the Governments. Following long diplomatic and legal efforts, the charges of all but one of them were commuted in December 2023, and they were released and reached New Delhi by February 2024.<ref>https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/the-real-reason-qatar-freed-our-navy-veterans</ref><ref name="JPost">{{cite news |date=10 November 2022 |title=8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar - report |url=https://jpost.com/breaking-news/article-722034 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028165747/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-722034 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=16 November 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post |quote=Eight former officers in the Indian Navy were arrested in Qatar on suspicion of spying for Israel, although Qatari officials have refused to state the charges against the suspects despite their being in custody for over 70 days, Iranian media reported on Thursday.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swami |first=Praveen |date=April 19, 2023 |title=8 former Navy officers imprisoned by Qatar accused of spying on emirate's super-secret submarine programme |url=https://theprint.in/defence/8-former-navy-officers-imprisoned-by-qatar-accused-of-spying-on-emirates-super-secret-submarine-programme/1525711/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424015434/https://theprint.in/defence/8-former-navy-officers-imprisoned-by-qatar-accused-of-spying-on-emirates-super-secret-submarine-programme/1525711/ |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=April 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/charges-of-espionage-against-indian-ex-service-men-unsubstantiated-qatar-has-not-shared-any-proof/</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=8 Jailed Indian Navy Veterans Released By Qatar: A Timeline Of The Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/qatar-frees-8-indian-navy-veterans-jailed-on-alleged-spying-charges-a-timeline-of-the-case-5040417 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=Qatar frees 8 ex-Indian Navy men jailed on espionage charges, 7 return to India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/qatar-frees-navy-veterans-jailed-on-espionage-charges-9156490/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> One of them, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, remains detained as of February 2026.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-02 |title=Qatar court rejects bail plea of Indian Navy veteran Purnendu Tiwari as family seeks PM Modi’s intervention |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/qatar-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-indian-navy-veteran-purnendu-tiwari-as-family-seeks-pm-modis-intervention-13975200.html|access-date=2026-02-05|website=[[Firstpost]]|last=Pratap|first=Bhanu}}</ref>

== Background ==
Millions of [[Indian diaspora|Indian nationals]] reside in the [[Persian Gulf]] region, with tens of thousands employed in semi-skilled and low-income jobs. These [[migrant worker]]s have been instrumental in the development of the economies of [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf Arab states]] and serve as a crucial source of [[Remittances to India|remittances for India]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2023-10-27 |title=Qatar sentences Indian ex-naval officers to death |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67191248 |access-date=2023-10-27 |archive-date=2023-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027042657/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67191248 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The company, Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, for whom the eight Indians worked, described itself as a "local business partner" of Qatar's governmental agencies including defence.<ref name="JPost"/>

In 2020, Qatar signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] (MoU) with [[Fincantieri]] — an Italian shipbuilding firm — to build [[submarines]]. The project also involved the maintenance of Qatar's [[naval fleet]] and construction of a [[naval base]]. However, the MoU was reportedly not implemented.<ref name="AJ">{{cite news |last1=Motamedi |first1=Maziar |title=Indians jailed for spying on Qatar for Israel: Reports |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/2/indians-jailed-for-spying-on-qatar-for-israel-reports |work=Al Jazeera |date=2 May 2023 |language=en |access-date=16 November 2023 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028165815/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/5/2/indians-jailed-for-spying-on-qatar-for-israel-reports |url-status=live }}</ref> As of May 2023, the Fincantieri company had no existing contracts for submarines with Qatar. However, based on a 2016 agreement with the Qatar's Ministry of Defence, work on finishing seven surface vessels – including four [[corvette]]s, two [[patrol vessel]]s and one [[Amphibious warfare ship|amphibious vessel]] was in progress.<ref name="AJ"/>

Qatar is reportedly seeking a smaller variety of the [[Type 212A submarine|U212 Near Future submarine]], a submarine project in Italy built with a [[Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft|German firm]]'s cooperation.<ref name="AJ"/>

==Arrest==
On 30 August 2022, the former [[Indian Navy]] officers, Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh, were arrested from [[Doha]] by the [[Qatar State Security|Qatari intelligence service]].<ref>{{cite news |date=26 October 2023 |title=Qatar court hands death sentence to eight former Indian Navy officials; 'deeply shocked' MEA exploring all legal options |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/qatar-court-hands-death-sentence-to-eight-former-indian-navy-officials-deeply-shocked-mea-exploring-all-legal-options/article67461365.ece/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026142927/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/qatar-court-hands-death-sentence-to-eight-former-indian-navy-officials-deeply-shocked-mea-exploring-all-legal-options/article67461365.ece/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to reports, they were in charge of teaching the [[Qatari Navy]] and were employed by a private company run by an officer from the [[Oman Air Force]] that offered training and other services to [[Qatar's armed forces]]. The arrested Indian nationals' bail requests were denied by Qatari authorities eight times. The men had their case forwarded to court by the public prosecutor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2023 |title=Case of 8 former naval personnel detained since Aug comes up in Qatar court: MEA |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-navy-personnel-detained-in-qatar-case-reaches-court-india-seeks-release-of-nationals-embassy-provides-assistance-101680799610870.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424015439/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-navy-personnel-detained-in-qatar-case-reaches-court-india-seeks-release-of-nationals-embassy-provides-assistance-101680799610870.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2023 |title=Qatar arrests eight Indian nationals accused of spying for Israel |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/the-gulf/1682012897-qatar-arrests-eight-indian-nationals-accused-of-spying-for-israel |website=I24news |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424015434/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/the-gulf/1682012897-qatar-arrests-eight-indian-nationals-accused-of-spying-for-israel |url-status=live }}</ref>

Up till December 2022, India's [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|MEA]] indicated that no charges were pressed. It said in a weekly media briefing: "If they say that the charges have not yet been pressed, let's take it at that value."<ref>{{Citation |title=Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson |last=Bagchi |first=Arindam |date=2022-12-29 |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/36071/Transcript_of_Weekly_Media_Briefing_by_the_Official_Spokesperson_December_29_2022 |pages=Paragraph 28 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-16 |archive-date=2023-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028075805/https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/36071/Transcript_of_Weekly_Media_Briefing_by_the_Official_Spokesperson_December_29_2022 }}</ref>

==Trial and verdict==
In late March 2023, the eight men had their first trial.<ref name="AJ"/>

In October 2023, the eight former Indian naval officers working for the Al Dahra consulting company, which was advising the Qatari government on the acquisition of [[submarine]]s, were handed [[death sentence]]s by a Qatari court.<ref>{{cite news |title=India 'exploring all legal options' after Qatari court sentences 8 Indians to death for spying |url=https://apnews.com/article/indian-employees-death-sentence-qatar-spying-submarine-5eb329c7bd7fdc8d2fe97f5630d7c987 |work=AP News |date=26 October 2023 |language=en |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026142926/https://apnews.com/article/indian-employees-death-sentence-qatar-spying-submarine-5eb329c7bd7fdc8d2fe97f5630d7c987 |url-status=live }}</ref> The charges against the eight men were not made public by either the [[Indian government]] or the Qatari authorities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Qatar sentences eight former Indian naval officers to death |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/qatar-death-sentence-indian-navy-b2436970.html |work=The Independent |date=27 October 2023 |language=en |access-date=16 November 2023 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029075125/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/qatar-death-sentence-indian-navy-b2436970.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar; New Delhi says deeply shocked |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/8-ex-navy-personnel-sentenced-to-death-by-qatar-court-india-says-deeply-shocked-101698319804115.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027145527/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/8-ex-navy-personnel-sentenced-to-death-by-qatar-court-india-says-deeply-shocked-101698319804115.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Some news outlets, citing unnamed sources, said the men were charged with spying for Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar sentences 8 Indians to death on charges of spying for Israel |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c1649e9e-ec0f-4a1b-b4c2-acddf5c0b0bc |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref>

In December 2023, as per India's foreign ministry, the death sentences were commuted. However, the new penalty they would face was not specified.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-28 |title=Qatar commutes India ex-navy officers' death penalty |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67831563 |access-date=2023-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-28 |title=Qatar drops death sentence for 8 Indians on reported charges of spying for Israel |language=en|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatar-drops-death-sentence-for-8-indians-on-reported-charges-of-spying-for-israel/ |access-date=2023-12-28}}</ref> The authorities later found that there was no evidence to support the case, and the 8 Naval officers were released.<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-indian-navy-officials-jailed-in-qatari-prison-call-for-return-of-colleague-left-behind/article69227274.ece</ref><ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-navy-veteran-in-qatar-purnendu-tiwary-case-qatar-death-sentence-mea-2681899-2025-02-18</ref>

In 12 February 2024 the Indian Government released a statement welcoming and celebrating the release of all eight former [[Indian Navy]] officers and thanked the [[Emir of Qatar]] for facilitating their release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Jessie |date=2024-02-12 |title=India celebrates release of eight nationals detained in Qatar on reported spy charges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/12/india/indian-nationals-detained-qatar-released-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

According to an article from February 2026, one of the officers, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, still remains detained in Doha, with his family seeking intervention from the [[Prime Minister of India]].<ref name=":1" />

==Reactions==
The detained Indian nationals in Qatar were actively sought for [[Consular assistance|consular access]] by the Indian mission in Doha, according to the [[Ministry of External Affairs of India]] (MEA).<ref>{{Citation |title=MEA Press Release |date=2023-10-26 |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/37210/Verdict_in_the_case_of_8_Indians_detained_in_Qatar |url-status=live |publication-date=2023-10-26 |access-date=2023-11-16 |archive-date=2023-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028075734/https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/37210/Verdict_in_the_case_of_8_Indians_detained_in_Qatar }}</ref> [[Arindam Bagchi]], the [[Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (India)|spokesperson for the MEA]], said that the Indian Embassy in Doha spoke with the [[Qatari government]] and that Indian diplomats visited the arrested individuals to inquire about their wellbeing. The families of the arrested individuals were in continuous contact with the Indian embassy in Doha, which was also providing consular and legal support. The MEA withheld any information pertaining to the accusations made against the former officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://propakistani.pk/2022/11/09/india-seeks-release-of-8-ex-navy-officers-arrested-in-qatar-over-spying-for-israel/|title=India Seeks Release of 8 Ex-Navy Officers Arrested in Qatar Over Spying for Israel|access-date=2023-04-24|archive-date=2023-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424015436/https://propakistani.pk/2022/11/09/india-seeks-release-of-8-ex-navy-officers-arrested-in-qatar-over-spying-for-israel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/8-indians-allegedly-spying-for-israel-arrested-in-qatar-533066|title=8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar|website=WION|access-date=2023-04-24|archive-date=2023-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424015434/https://www.wionews.com/videos/8-indians-allegedly-spying-for-israel-arrested-in-qatar-533066|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-the-row-over-8-former-indian-navy-officers-being-detained-in-qatar-11595881.html|title=Explained: The row over 8 former Indian Navy officers being detained in Qatar|date=November 9, 2022|website=Firstpost|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424015436/https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-the-row-over-8-former-indian-navy-officers-being-detained-in-qatar-11595881.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the [[Hindustan Times]], an Indian journalist and their spouse were also ordered by Qatari authorities to leave the country for reporting on the case.<ref>{{cite web |title=8 ex-Indian Navy officers awarded death penalty in Qatar; 'Deeply shocked', says MEA |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/qatar-court-sentences-8-ex-indian-navy-personnel-to-death-101698317488623.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 October 2023 |language=en |date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=27 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027042912/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/qatar-court-sentences-8-ex-indian-navy-personnel-to-death-101698317488623.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Capital punishment in Qatar]]
* {{annotated link|Kulbhushan Jadhav}}

* [[India–Qatar relations]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{espionage}}
{{Foreign relations of India}}
{{Foreign relations of Qatar}}

[[Category:India–Qatar relations]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in Qatar]]
[[Category:Indian Navy officers]]
[[Category:Indian people imprisoned abroad]]
[[Category:Indian spies]]
[[Category:21st-century spies]]

2023 Qatar espionage case - Revision history

MyronMullet1862 at 10:09, 5 February 2026