Representative image of a gavel.
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New Delhi: A Qatari court has admitted India's appeal against the death penalty awarded to eight former Indian Navy personnel working there, ANI reported on Friday quoting “sources”, but there was no official word from the Ministry of External Affairs.
This happened a week after India said the appeal process against the death sentence was under process and it was hopeful of a positive outcome.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said that India was engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and the government would continue to extend all legal and consular assistance to the Indian nationals.
On Oct 26 the eight Indians including a few decorated officers were given the death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.
The MEA said the judgement remained confidential and urged everyone not to speculate on the nature of the charges.
India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options. Days later, an appeal was filed against the death sentence.
The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year.