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Jailed Navy veterans get 60 days to appeal in Qatar

The MEA’s legal team possesses the confidential court order detailing the commutation of the death sentences to imprisonment terms, a move revealed in a press release following the court of appeal’s judgement on December 28…reports Asian Lite News

A week after a Qatar court commuted the death sentences of eight Indian ex-Navy personnel, the External Affairs ministry said that a 60-day window has opened to appeal the case in the highest court in Qatar.

During a press briefing, the MEA spoksesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the legal team of the MEA has the court order, which is a confidential document.

The newly appointed spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaiswal, emphasised the temporal significance of this period, stating, “As far as the issue is concerned, there is a time of 60 days when this issue can be appealed in the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in Qatar.”

The MEA’s legal team possesses the confidential court order detailing the commutation of the death sentences to imprisonment terms, a move revealed in a press release following the court of appeal’s judgement on December 28.

“We issued a press release in which we informed you that the death sentence, which was originally a death penalty, has been changed to imprisonment sentences. Now our legal team has that court order, and I can confirm that all of them have received sentences of different durations, and the death penalty has been abolished,” Jaiswal said.

Eight Indian nationals, former naval personnel, were arrested in Qatar in October 2022 on charges related to alleged spying on a submarine programme. While the detailed judgement from the Court of Appeal is awaited, the MEA has assured that they are closely coordinating with the legal team and the families of the individuals involved.

“Our legal team is working on this issue, and we are also working with the family and the legal team on this issue. Talking, connected, and looking forward to seeing what happens,” Jaiswal remarked, underscoring the collaborative effort to navigate the complexities of the case.

The MEA had previously issued a release expressing awareness of the verdict and a commitment to provide consular and legal assistance. The ambassador and officials were present during the Court of Appeal proceedings, standing in solidarity with the families. (ANI)

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Breather for eight Indians on death row in Qatar  

The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme…reports Asian Lite News

The Qatari Court on Thursday commuted the death penalty sentence of eight ex-Indian naval officers it had arrested last year in the Dahra Global case, Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement. The sentence has now been reduced to jail terms.

Describing the judgement, Ministry of External Affairs said, “We have noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar in the Dahra Global case, in which the sentences have been reduced.”

The MEA also said that the detailed judgement in the case is awaited and are in close touch with the legal team in Qatar.

MEA added, “The detailed judgement is awaited. We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps. Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities.”

The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme. The retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially.

Earlier this month, MEA informed that two hearings have taken place in the case.

“There have been two hearings. We filed an appeal, with the families, and the detainees had a final appeal. Two hearings have since been held. One was on November 30th and the other was on November 23rd. I think the next hearing is coming up soon,” Bagchi said.

Moreover, the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed the judgement against them, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The MEA spokesperson also highlighted the recent meeting that took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad and said that they have had a good conversation on the overall bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai and discussed bilateral partnership and the “well-being of the Indian community” living in Qatar.

Foreign affairs experts hail India’s diplomacy

After a Qatar court commuted the death sentence of eight Indian ex-Navy personnel, foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev hailed India’s diplomacy and said that the new verdict by the Qatari court is a big relief for the arrested personnel and their families.

“No doubt, you see diplomacy has also worked. It shows Prime Minister Modi met the mayor of Qatar on the sidelines of the CoP28 which was being held in Dubai recently. So this would have been certainly brought up by the PM with the mayor of Qatar,” he said.

He added, “The judgment by the Qatari court is indeed a huge, huge relief for the families in India. At the same time, there is still some distance ahead because what has happened, is whether the court has commuted or instead of the death sentence has handed some other judgment, which we do at least. As of now, the question will be what is the judgment that the court has now announced?.”

He said further, “Yes, we understand that the death sentence is no longer in the picture, which is a huge relief. But what else is, because the point is that if the court has kind of judged this as a different category of an episode, then is it a five-year sentence, a ten-year sentence, a 20-year sentence? How long would that sentence be? That is one. But the hope we have is that whatever the sentence in the coming days and months, that sentence could perhaps also be reduced so that we have these sailors back home as soon as possible.”

Additionally, Former diplomat Suresh K Goel also appreciated the Indian government’s efforts which resulted in commuting the sentence of Indian naval officers and hoped that if government could ensure their transfer to India in the coming days.

He stated, “After the efforts by the govt, their death sentence has been commuted, hope that in the coming days, with more efforts the sentence reduces further or if they can be transferred to India so that they can serve their rest of the sentence here…efforts will continue.”

Moreover, Former Diplomat, Ashok Sajjanhar said that the commuted sentence is a “welcome development” and added that this is not the end but a need to ensure that all officers would be brought back home safely.

He noted, ” It is a very welcome development, the whole country was really on an edge…the govt and all those who were involved with it were working very hard to ensure that this sentence is not carried out. This is the first positive development…but of course, this is not the end…we need to ensure that all these officers are brought back home safely with full dignity and all the charges against them are removed.” (ANI)

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Kin of Hostages Shocked as Israel Cancels Mossad Chief’s Qatar Trip

According to reports, David Barnea will not travel to Doha, where talks on the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza had taken place earlier.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum of Israel has expressed shock at the government’s decision to cancel Mossad chief David Barnea’s planned trip to Qatar for the resumption of talks on a possible second hostage release deal.

According to a source, the 58-year-old, who became the Director of Israel’s foreign intelligence service on June 2021, will not travel to Doha, where talks on the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza had taken place earlier.

Israel’s Channel 13 first reported on Wednesday that the country’s war cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had called off the trip.

It added that senior Israeli officials will not go to Qatar to restart negotiations.

The Mossad answers directly to the Prime Minister.

In a statement on late Wednesday, the Forum’s spokesperson Liat Bell Sommer demanded an immediate explanation from the Prime Minister and Cabinet members and called upon to break the deadlock in negotiations.

“The feeling is that every evening a Russian roulette of murdering hostages in Hamas captivity takes place. We are fed up with the indifference and deadlock.“

The Forum said in a statement that “the families were shocked by the report on the rejection of the Director of Mossad’s request to formulate an agreement for the release of the hostages”.

“This announcement comes in addition to the ignoring of the parents’ request to meet with the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, which have not yet been answered,” it added.

Formal negotiations have not resumed since hostage talks that had been taking place in Doha broke down earlier this month.

Around 240 people, from infants to octogenarians, were taken hostage during the Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office believes 135 hostages remain in Gaza, 116 of whom are alive.

During the now-collapsed humanitarian pause from November 24-30, 86 Israeli and 24 foreign national hostages were released.

On Wednesday, two additional hostages were declared as dead.

Before the pause, four civilian hostages had been released by Hamas, one Israeli soldier was rescued, and bodies of three hostages were retrieved.

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Indian Envoy Meets Ex-Navy Men on Death Row in Qatar

8 ex-Indian navymen continue to languish in Qatar jail

India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that since the detainees filed an appeal, two hearings have already been held…reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that India’s Ambassador in Qatar had consular access on December 3 to meet all eight ex-Navy personnel in prison who were sentenced to death in Qatar and two hearings have been held on their appeal.

In a weekly media briefing on Thursday, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said that since the detainees filed an appeal, two hearings have already been held.

“There have been two hearings. We filed an appeal, with the families, and the detainees had a final appeal. Two hearings have since been held. One was on November 30th and the other was on November 23rd. I think the next hearing is coming up soon,” Bagchi said.

The eight Indians are former Indian Navy personnel who were detained in Qatar for over a year. They were sentenced to death by Qatar’s Court of First Instance in October, 2023.

Sharing the update on the case further, the MEA spokesperson said that it is a sensitive issue and India is extending all legal and consular assistance.

“We are closely following the matter and extending all legal and consular assistance. Meanwhile, our ambassador got consular access to meet all eight in prison on December 3. And, as I said, this is a sensitive issue, but we will continue to follow and whatever we can share, we will do so,” he added.

The MEA spokesperson also highlighted the recent meeting that took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad and said that they have had a good conversation on the overall bilateral relationship.

“You would have seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet the Emir of Qatar in Dubai on the sidelines of COP28 …I think he put out a tweet. My understanding is that we have had a good conversation on the overall bilateral relationship as well as the well-being of the Indian community,” Bagchi said further.

On October 30, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the families of eight Indians detained in Qatar and assured them that the government would make all efforts to secure their release.

The EAM said that the government attaches the “highest importance” to the case and will coordinate closely with the families in that regard.

The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme. The retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially.

New Delhi had been granted consular access to the eight Indians and had been working to secure their release. The Indian nationals had their first trial in late March.

The Court of First Instance of Qatar passed the judgement against them, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Qatar has also yet to provide details of the charges against the former Naval officers, nor has the order of the Court of First instance been shared with the families of the former Naval officers.

Xxx

LS Adjournment Notices to Discuss Qatar

Congress Member of Parliament Manish Tewari has given notice of his intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance, namely, the imprisonment of retired Indian navy personnel in Qatar.

“That this House do suspend Zero Hour, Question Hour, and other Businesses of the Day to have a discussion regarding the retired-Indian navy personnel imprisoned in Qatar. 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 sentenced by the Qatari court on October 26, 2023, ” read the letter from the Congress MP.

In a letter to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Tewari stated that the eight retired navy personnel were sentenced to death by the Qatari court on October 26, 2023. He further stated that he has been constantly raising this matter since August 2022 both inside and outside the House but the response of the Government has been – NO RESPONSE for -14 months.

Tewari also alleged that the eight navy personnel have been brutally tortured, self-incriminating confessions extracted, and sentenced to death in a Kangaroo Trail in a couple of perfunctory hearings. He further stated that the Government has not even called in the Qatari Ambassador to protest the matter strongly.

Tewari urged the government to inform the House of the situation about the navy personnel in Qatar and the steps taken to bring them back to India. (ANI)

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India Moves Legally to Help 8 Citizens on Death Row in Qatar

Families of the former Naval personnel feel this wrong information that has been circulated could further endanger the situation the former Naval personnel find themselves in…reports Asian Lite News

On the matter involving 8 ex-naval personnel being sentenced to death by a Qatar court, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the judgment remains “confidential”, adding that the appeal has been filed in the case.

The MEA has also urged everyone to refrain from “engaging in speculation” due to the sensitive nature of the case and that the Indian embassy received another consular access on November 7.

Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Qatar’s court passed a judgement on October 26 in the case involving 8 employees of Al Dara company.”

Bagchi was responding to a question on eight detainees, who have been given death sentences, if would be freed on December 18, the National Day of Qatar. He added that the retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially. They (legal team) are now pursuing further legal steps and an appeal has already been filed, he said.

“The judgment is confidential and has only been shared with the legal team. They are now pursuing further legal steps and an appeal has already been filed. We will also remain engaged with the Qatari authorities in this matter,” the MEA spokesperson also said.

The MEA is actively coordinating with Qatari authorities and has secured consular access on November 7th. Furthermore, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) has met with the family members of those involved. On November 7, the Indian embassy in Doha received another consular access to the detainees,” said Bagchi.

“We are in touch with their family members too. External Affairs Minister met the family members earlier this month in New Delhi,” he added.

The eight former Indian Navy personnel were employees of Dahra Global, a Doha-based private defence services provider. They were arrested in August 2022 for espionage. India called the ruling deeply shocking and deployed all diplomatic channels to engage with Qatar on this case.

“We will continue to extend legal and consular support and I would urge everyone not to engage in speculation considering the sensitive nature of the case,” Bagchi appealed.

Friends and families of the eight former Indian Navy personnel detained in Qatar and given the death penalty by a court in the Gulf country are hopeful for early relief. In the absence of any concrete information on the trial in Qatar, the families feel there are a lot of misconceptions originating in the West Asian media on the issue.

A close relative of one of the men detained in Qatar, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the wrong information had been reported by several media outlets in West Asia alleging that the Indian Navy men were accused of spying on a submarine project run by Qatar.

According to the relative, the ex-Indian Navy men were not engaged in espionage but had gone to Qatar to help with the country’s Naval program. Qatar has also not made any proof public to substantiate these allegations of spying.

Families of the former Naval personnel feel this wrong information that has been circulated could further endanger the situation the former Naval personnel find themselves in.

According to the families, the eight Naval men have served the nation with the highest integrity and honour while in the Indian Navy. Their families and friends are extremely distraught and have been traumatized by their year-long detention. What has further hurt them is the fact that the circumstance of the detention has been misreported.

Meanwhile, Qatar is also yet to provide details of the charges against the former Naval officers, nor has the order of the Court of First Instances been shared with the families of the Ex-Naval officers.

The families say this is a bilateral matter between the two countries and it needs to be handled with tremendous sensitivity.

Notably, on October 30, families of the detained ex-Naval men met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who assured them of full government support.

“Met this morning with the families of the eight Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that the Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that the Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard” the Minister posted on X after the meeting.

Speaking to ANI earlier, Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar also sought to reassure the families of the detained men.

“Every effort is being made by the government to ensure we take up through the legal course and we get relief for our personnel,” said Admiral Hari Kumar.

Earlier the Ministry of External Affairs had said that they were in touch with the families of the former Naval personnel and that all legal options were being explored. (ANI)

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‘Govt taking all efforts to secure release of Indians’

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, Qatar on June 05, 2016.

Jaishankar says that the government attaches highest importance to the case and will coordinate closely with the families…reports Asian Lite News

The government will continue to make all efforts to secure the release of eight Indian nationals sentenced to death in Qatar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said after meeting their families in New Delhi on Monday.

On October 26, 2023, a court in Qatar had awarded the death penalty to eight former Indian Navy officers who had been detained in the West Asian country for over a year.

“Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families.

The Indian government had earlier expressed deep shock over the court verdict and said it was exploring all available legal options to secure the release of these Indian nationals.

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA said. “Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” the MEA added.

While the Indian government as well as the Qatari authorities have not commented on the nature of the charges against the eight, some news reports have suggested that the former Indian Navy officers may have been charged with security-related offences.

The first hearing in the case was held on March 29, 2023 after it was referred to the court by the public prosecution. The Indian Embassy in Doha had been extending necessary consular as well as legal assistance to the detained Indians.

Meanwhile, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar said that the government is making every effort to ensure relief for the eight Indian personnel detained in Qatar. The eight Indians who now face the death penalty in Qatar for alleged spying are all former Naval personnel.

Speaking at an event in Goa, Kumar said, “The court hearing was supposed to be transcribed and provided to us on Sunday…but we heard the MEA statement on this.

“Every effort is being made by the government to ensure we take this up through the legal course and we get relief for our personnel,” he added.

This comes after the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed a verdict of the death penalty for the eight former naval officers who were detained in Doha.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the families of eight Indians detained in Qatar and assured them that the government will make all efforts to secure their release.

The EAM said that the government attaches the “highest importance” to the case and will coordinate closely with the families in that regard.

“Met this morning with the families of the 8 Indians detained in Qatar. Stressed that Government attaches the highest importance to the case. Fully share the concerns and pain of the families. Underlined that the Government will continue to make all efforts to secure their release. Will coordinate closely with the families in that regard,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it was “deeply shocked” by the verdict and now awaits the detailed judgement.

“We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company,” the MEA said in a statement.

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of the death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” it added.

The MEA further stated that the matter is very important to us, the MEA said adding that and they have been keeping a close eye on it.

“We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA release said.

“Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” it added. (ANI)

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Qatar shocker: death penalty for 8 Indians

India explores legal options to help the Navy veterans detained in 2022, Opposition seeks PM’s intervention…reports Asian Lite News

The Court of First instance of Qatar has passed a verdict of death penalty for the eight former naval officers who were detained in Doha, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The MEA said it is “deeply shocked” by the verdict and now awaits the detailed judgement.

“We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company,” the MEA said in an official press release.

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” it added.

This matter is very important to us, the MEA said adding that and they have been keeping a close eye on it.

“We attach high importance to this case, and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities,” the MEA release said.

“Due to the confidential nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” it added.

The eight Indian nationals have been imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme.

New Delhi had been granted consular access to the eight Indians and had been working to secure their release. The Indian nationals had their first trial in late March.

Opposition seeks PM’s intervention

Meanwhile, the Congress expressed “anguish and shock” over the disturbing developments in Qatar where eight former Indian Navy personnel, who have been in custody there since last year, being awarded death sentence.

The party said it expects that the government will use its diplomatic and political leverage with the Qatar government to the maximum to ensure that former naval officers have full recourse to appeal for release.

In a post on X, Congress General Secretary (Communication) Jairam Ramesh said, “The Indian National Congress has noted with the greatest anguish, distress and shock the most disturbing developments in Qatar regarding 8 former officers of the Indian Navy.

“It hopes and expects that the Govt of India will use its diplomatic and political leverage with the Qatar government to the maximum to ensure that the officers have full recourse to appeals and also do the utmost to get them released at the earliest.”

Ramesh’s remarks came after news surfaced that eight former Indian Navy personnel, who have been in custody in Qatar since last year, have been awarded death sentence.

The accused, including decorated officers who once commanded major Indian warships, were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm that provides training and related services to Qatar’s armed forces.

Their bail pleas were rejected numerous times and their detention was extended by the Qatari authorities.

Officers with unblemished service records

The Indians awarded the death penalty include former Indian Navy captain Saurabh Vashisht, commander Purenendu Tiwari, captain Birendra Kumar Verma, commander Sugunakar Pakala, commander Sanjeev Gupta, commander Amit Nagpal and sailor Ragesh.

All eight were former Indian Navy officials with “unblemished service records” and had taken voluntary retirements in search of greener pastures. They moved to Qatar to join the Al Dahra security company, which had a pact with Qatari authorities for facilitating training to naval personnel.

According to the old website of Al Dahra, the company provided training, logistics and maintenance services to the Qatari Emiri Naval Force (QENF). However, the website is now revamped and the company name changed to ‘Dahra Global’ and it no longer boasts any connection with the QENF.

The owner of the company was an Omani national, Khamis al-Ajmi, a retired squadron leader of the Royal Oman Air Force. al-Ajmi too was jailed along with the eight Indians, but he was released in November 2022.

A report that appeared in Al Jazeera in May claims the Indians are accused of passing information about a stealth-capable submarine, allegedly to Israel.

In 2020, Qatar signed a pact with Italian-based shipbuilding firm Fincantieri SpA to build submarines as part of a larger project involving the construction of a naval base and maintenance of its military fleet. The project now seems to have been dropped.

Even after the spy case broke out, Israel did not officially comment on the issue. But Al Jazeera said Tel Aviv “has stakes in preventing the development of military technologies across the Middle East, as it fears it could undercut its United States-backed military edge.”

The arrests reportedly happened on 30 August, 2022, under the cover of darkness. The Qatar’s State Security Bureau, their spy agency, did not inform the Indian Embassy about the arrest and only a month later could they call their families to inform them about the development.

There were speculations that the ex-Indian Navy officers were being “framed” by Pakistani intelligence agencies. But, Indian officials never confirmed these rumours. Indian Ambassador to Qatar and the Deputy Chief of Mission met them in prison and they had legal representation in court. This hinted that the Indian government are aware of the charges, but has decided against revealing them to the public.

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Hearing on naval veterans held in Qatar starts today

Family members have to wait outside the trial court and are not privy to what goes on inside…reports Asian Lite News

The hearing of the ongoing trial for the eight Indian naval veterans will be held on Tuesday, October 3, after nearly a two-month period.

Family members of most of the veterans are in Doha at present and are expressing optimism about the outcome of the hearing on Tuesday.

“The wait has been long and arduous for 13 months. Though there is speculation on the veterans being repatriated, going by the background one can’t say anything till an actual announcement is made,” said a source.

Family members have to wait outside the trial court and are not privy to what goes on inside.

“From offering prayers to writing to the Qatari authorities to grant the veterans pardon, families have left no stone unturned. The Indian government too has extended all possible support. We are avidly waiting to hear the outcome of October 3rd’s hearing,” the source added.

It has been a year since the eight veterans were sent back to pack their bags to leave for India, which didn’t happen. Their packed bags always give them hope of returning, but it’s the court’s order that will decide on their fate soon.

It may be recalled that these eight naval veterans were working for a naval consultancy firm called Dhara Consultancies which was owned by an Omani Emir. It was on the night of August 30, 2022, when a knock from members of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior urging them to leave for a naval exercise landed them in prison. From being under solitary confinement they are now living on a twin-sharing basis.

Mercy pleas have been filed by some members and there is hope that a pardon, if not a court trial could finally help in their repatriation to India.

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Qatar PM visits Kandahar, meets Taliban officials

Qatari PM Abdulrahman Al Thani visits Kandahar, meets Taliban officials

The Qatari leader has met with Afghanistan’s Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, reports Asian Lite News

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Kandahar on Friday and met with Taliban officials, reported Tolo News.

Qatari PM Abdulrahman Al Thani visits Kandahar, meets Taliban officials

He met with Afghanistan’s Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the spokesman of the Taliban Zabiullah Mujahid said on Twitter. “In this meeting, the Prime Minister of that country emphasized on strengthening the relations and increasing the level of trust between the two countries, as well as practical cooperation in the educational, health and economic fields of Afghanistan,” he tweeted.

The Qatari delegation also included the head of the Qatari State Security (Intelligence Service) Abdullah Al-Khulaifi.

Mujahid said they discussed cooperation in strengthening relations and trust, and working together in the education, health and economic sectors, reported Tolo News.

“Qatar’s further cooperation with the people of Afghanistan was emphasized.

Qatari PM Abdulrahman Al Thani visits Kandahar, meets Taliban officials

At the same time, the heartfelt message of the Emir of Qatar was appreciated and that country was encouraged to play a greater role in building more trust between the countries and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” tweeted Mujahid.

Notably, Qatar facilitated discussions between the Islamic Emirate and the US government that resulted in a peace deal on February 29 of 2020.

Qatar has longstanding ties with the Taliban. While this approach is criticized by some, others benefit from the country’s contacts. Qatar’s main interest is to cement its position as a regional mediator.

Qatari PM Abdulrahman Al Thani visits Kandahar, meets Taliban officials

The relationship between Qatar and the Taliban is anything but new. As early as 2013, Qatar allowed the Taliban to open an office in Doha, with the support of the US administration under Barack Obama.

At the time, Washington was looking for a neutral place to negotiate with the Islamist militia in order to prepare for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, reported DW News.

Since 2018, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is one of the founding members of the Taliban, has led its representation in Qatar. (ANI)

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Qatar Emir Lauds WC Success

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said Qatar World Cup provided an opportunity for the people from different parts of the world to learn about the “richness of our culture and the originality of our values.”…reports Asian Lite News

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that Qatar has fulfilled its promise to organise an exceptional championship as the first FIFA World Cup hosted by the Arab country came to a close on Sunday with Lionel Messi-led Argentina winning the title.

Sheikh Tamim expressed hope that the success made by the country in hosting the tournament will be a motive for giving more towards the service and progress to Qatar.

The Emir wrapped a robe around Lionel Messi on stage next to the FIFA World Cup trophy after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final.

“I congratulate the Argentine national team for winning the Qatar World Cup 2022, and also the French national team, and I thank all the teams for their wonderful play, and the fans who enthusiastically encouraged them.”

“In conclusion, we have fulfilled our promise to organise an exceptional championship from the Arab countries, which provided an opportunity for the peoples of the world to learn about the richness of our culture and the originality of our values,” Sheikh Tamim tweeted.

The Emir also thanked the International Federation of Football Associations for the “constructive cooperation” in organising the tournament. “I hope that the success we have achieved in hosting the tournament will be a motive for providing more service and upliftment to our dear country.”

“With the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, I extend my thanks to all those who contributed from the fans, volunteers, individuals, institutions and ministries to the success of the tournament and showing it, the State of Qatar and the Arab world in an honourable way to millions of viewers around the world,” he added.

National Day

Meanwhile, the Emir congratulated the people and residents of Qatar on the occasion of Qatar National Day which coincided with the final match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

“We congratulate our people and residents on this good land on the occasion of our National Day, which this year coincides with a festive atmosphere with Qatar’s guests from all over the world at the end of an exceptional world football tournament. Every year, Qatar is in glory and elevation, and may God keep our country safe, secure and stable,” he said.

Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was held Sunday at Lusail Iconic Stadium ahead of the final match between Argentina and France, featuring impressive shows that blended Qatar’s heritage with its modernity and development.

During the ceremony, the State of Qatar thanked and bid farewell to the whole world after hosting an exceptional, unique, record-breaking and indelible World Cup tournament.

The ceremony featured songs of the World Cup official soundtrack that celebrated the convergence of the peoples of the world over the course of the tournament that continued for 29 days. Davido and Aisha performed ‘Hayya Hayya’, Ozuna and Gims sang Arheboo, and Balqees, Rahma Riad, Manal, Nora Fatehi sang ‘Light the Sky’.

The closing ceremony began with Qatari artist Dana’s rendition of ‘What A Wonderful World’, followed by a poem by Tamim Al Barghouti that celebrated bringing peoples together to celebrate football despite cultural differences.

The 12-minute ceremony witnessed the lighting of 32 balls resembling celestial bodies decorated with the flags of the countries that participated in the World Cup. Two balls remained to symbolize the finalists France and Argentina.

Later in the night, Argentina came out victorious in the intensely fought final in what was likely the last World Cup for Argentine talisman Lionel Messi. After finishing all square at the end of the second half of extra time, Argentina won the final 4-2 on penalties.

Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, the honour given to the best player of a FIFA World Cup, after a thrilling final at Lusail which saw the legendary striker’s World Cup dreams turn into reality following a 4-2 win over France in penalties.

Messi, playing his final FIFA World Cup this year, was in top form throughout the entire tournament. Scoring crucial goals, converting penalties and assisting his teammates in scoring, the 35-year-old legend did it all.

Argentina won its third World Cup, and its first since 1986.

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