Qatar eases death sentences of ex-Indian Navy officers convicted of espionage

A court in Qatar has mitigated the death sentences of eight former Indian naval personnel, who were convicted of espionage, the Indian foreign ministry stated on Thursday.

The "sentences have been reduced," according to a ministry statement, but it did not say what the new punishment will be as per BBC.

The precise charges against the men have not been made public by either India or Qatar.

The men were accused of espionage for Israel, according to reports from FT and Reuters, which cited anonymous sources.

Refusing to comment, an embassy official for Israel in India stated that the issue was "not an Israeli matter."

"Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture," India's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

India declared itself "deeply shocked" in October following the men's execution sentencing. Subsequently, it appealed the court decision.

The men's detention last year garnered significant attention in India, but the court's ruling has not been made public, so little is known for certain about the charges against them.

The eight men were reportedly once part of the Indian Navy, while the Indian government claims they worked for a private company named Al Dahra. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar referred to them as "ex-servicemen" of the nation last year in parliament. Some of the men's families have also provided local media with confirmation of their identities and Navy history.