In August 2022, in a surprise swoop, eight Indian Navy veterans (a veteran is someone who has retired from a defence force), who were working with a private Qatar firm, were arrested by Qatar police.
While the charges were never made public, it was hinted that they were being accused of espionage (spying).
They were given their first consular access (a consular access is when someone from your country’s embassy is allowed to meet you) in October 2022.
In March 2023, the trial started. A very harsh sentence was handed out in October 2023. The Indian government was given about 60 days to appeal the judgement.
An appeal was filed in November, within 15 days (on the 14th day, in fact) of the sentencing. In December 2023, the harsh sentence was commuted to jail terms ranging from 3 to 25 years.
In February 2024, barely two months later, all eight Indians were freed and seven of them flew home to India today (February 12, 2024).
How did India do this?
While specific details are confidential, India did follow a multi-pronged approach with Qatar to bring its citizens home.
First, the legal process was followed as per Qatari norms and the Indian government did the paperwork immaculately.
Secondly, the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in December 2023, on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit in Dubai. He also discussed the matter with the Emir.
According to the officers who have returned, it was due to the efforts of the Indian officials and the personal intervention of the Indian Prime Minister with the Qatar Emir that led to their release.