INDIA's foreign ministry said Thursday (28) that Qatar had reduced the sentence of eight ex-navy personnel, arrested reportedly for spying for Israel and put on death row.
Indian media have reported that the eight Indian nationals -- among them former high-ranking and decorated officers, including captains who once commanded warships -- were arrested in Doha in August 2022.
In October, India said it was "shocked" after a Qatari court had sentenced them to death.
On Thursday, the foreign ministry said in a statement that the "sentences have been reduced", without giving further details.
Qatar has not commented on the case and the charges have not been made public.
India's ambassador and family members were in court for the appeal hearing, New Delhi said, adding that the government will "continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities".
It said further comment was not appropriate "due to the confidential and sensitive nature" of the case.
The eight men were employees of Al Dahra, a Gulf-based company that offers "complete support solutions" to the aerospace, security and defence sectors, according to its website.
The Hindu newspaper reported the men were spying for a "third country", while the Times of India has said that "various reports claimed they were accused of spying for Israel".
Israel's government has not commented on the case.
Qatar, which hosts a political bureau for Hamas and has provided financial aid to Gaza, has been linked to mediation efforts for a prisoner exchange between the Palestinian armed group and Israel.
(AFP)
Curator Emma Slocombe with ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
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Kente cloth from Ghana in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall 
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Palampore fragment made in coastal south-east India in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Bed valance dating from early 1700s in the Italian Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
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Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room with Indian carpet in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
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ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
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Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
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A panel of Ashburnham bed hangings made in Gujarat for sale in Europe in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Colcha made in the 1600s by women in Bengal for the Portuguese market in the Long Gallery at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
