Qatari authorities on Monday released the eight Indian Navy veterans who were sentenced to death there. Earlier, due to diplomatic intervention by New Delhi, the capital punishment was commuted to an extended prison term. The external affairs ministry earlier assured family members of these veterans that it would mobilise all diplomatic channels and arrange legal assistance to enable their return.
Out of the eight former Indian Navy officers, seven have returned to India, according to an official statement. “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals,” the external affairs ministry said in the statement.