NEW DELHI: A Qatar court has dropped the death sentence imposed on eight Indian former naval officers arrested there last year, India’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.

In October, India said it was “shocked” after the Qatari court had sentenced them to death.

The eight men, who were condemned to death in October, had been accused of spying for Israel according to sources — though India and Qatar have not confirmed the charges.

India’s foreign ministry did not say what new sentence or penalty the men would now face. It “noted the verdict today of the Court of Appeal of Qatar” in which the sentences “have been reduced”.

“We are in close touch with the legal team as well as the family members to decide on the next steps,” and will “continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities,” it added.

It declined to comment on the case further “due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings”.

India’s ambassador and family members were in court for the appeal hearing, New Delhi said.

Qatar and Israel’s embassies in New Delhi did not imm­e­diately respond to requests for comment.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2023