Alleged espionage by Indians in Qatar

In August 2022, eight retired Indian Navy officers were detained by Qatar on suspicion of allegedly spying for Israel, while employed by a company in Qatar. The detained men were allegedly involved in dubious activities connected to espionage and state-sponsored terrorism.[1][2][3]

Indian Naval Officers Spying for Israel in Qatar
DateAugust 2022 – present
LocationQatar
TypeEspionage
OutcomePending
AccusedEight former Indian navy officers
ChargesEspionage, gathering intelligence on a secret Qatari submarine project
VerdictOngoing trial

Background

Meetu Bhargava, who posted information about the arrest on social media on 25 October made the public aware of the arrest of these officials in Doha. According to reports, they were in charge of teaching the Qatari Navy and were employed by a private company run by an officer from the Oman Air Force that offers training and other services to Qatar's armed forces. The arrested officials' bail requests have been denied by Qatari authorities eight times, and their incarceration has most recently been increased. The men have had their case forwarded to court by the public prosecutor.[4][5]

Reactions

The detained officials from Qatar were allegedly being actively sought after by the Indian mission in Doha, according to the Ministry of External Affairs of India. Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the MEA, said that the Indian Embassy in Doha spoke with the Qatari government and that Indian diplomats visited the arrested officials to inquire about their wellbeing. The families of the arrested individuals are still in contact with the Indian embassy in Doha, which is also providing consular and legal support. However, the MEA withheld any information pertaining to the accusations made against the former officers.[6][7][8]

See also
  • Kulbhushan Jadhav - arrested in Pakistan on charges of terrorism and spying for India's intelligence agency.

References
  1. "Qatar arrests 8 Indian Navy officers for spying, Indian state-sponsored international terrorism". October 29, 2022.
  2. Swami, Praveen (April 19, 2023). "8 former Navy officers imprisoned by Qatar accused of spying on emirate's super-secret submarine programme".
  3. "8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar - report - The Jerusalem Post".
  4. "Case of 8 former naval personnel detained since Aug comes up in Qatar court: MEA". Hindustan Times. April 6, 2023.
  5. "Qatar arrests eight Indian nationals accused of spying for Israel". I24news.
  6. "India Seeks Release of 8 Ex-Navy Officers Arrested in Qatar Over Spying for Israel".
  7. "8 Indians allegedly spying for Israel arrested in Qatar". WION.
  8. "Explained: The row over 8 former Indian Navy officers being detained in Qatar". Firstpost. November 9, 2022.
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