NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Thursday said that the appeal process against the death sentence given to eight former Navy officials is under process by Qatar.It added that it's hopeful of a positive outcome from its appeal.Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India is in touch with the Qatari authorities on the issue and will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance to the Indian nationals.On October 26, a Qatari court awarded death penalty to eight Indian nationals.
The details of the trial were not made public by Qatar.India reacted strongly to the ruling, saying it was "deeply shocked" and promised to explore all legal options in the case.Days later, the MEA said that appeal has been filed against the death sentence."The case is currently in a legal process there.
As we mentioned, an appeal has been filed in Qatar's Court of Appeal.
We are also engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and we will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance (to them)," Bagchi said."I would again urge everyone not to engage in speculation considering the sensitive nature of the case," he said.The judgement in the entire process has been made confidential by the Qatari side."The appeal process is under way and we would hope for a positive outcome," Bagchi said, replying to a question on the matter at his weekly media briefing.He also described as "factually incorrect" some reports that suggested the appeal in the case has been adjudicated.The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage.The charges were filed against the eight Indian Navy veterans on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law.All of the former Navy officers had "unblemished stints" of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and had held important positions including that of instructors in the force, former military officials had said.In May Al-Dhara Global closed its operations in Doha and all those working there (primarily Indians) have since returned home.In the past, the Navy had taken up the case of the former naval personnel with top brass of the government for securing their release.(With inputs from PTI)WatchIndia appeals against death penalty given to 8 Navy veterans in Qatar