In a significant diplomatic development, former Indian Navy officer Commander Purnendu Tiwari has been arrested again in Qatar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday. This arrest comes nearly two years after his initial release following high-level Indian government intervention.
Arrest Follows Court Verdict, MEA Confirms
MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media, stating that Commander Tiwari was arrested in December last month. Jaiswal clarified that the arrest was a direct result of a court verdict in a long-standing case. "He was arrested last month in a case that has been going on in Qatar for quite some time now," Jaiswal said. He further noted that several other non-Indian nationals have also been arrested in connection with the same matter.
The spokesperson emphasized that the Indian Embassy in Qatar is in active touch with Commander Tiwari and his family to provide necessary consular support. However, citing the sub judice nature of the case, Jaiswal refrained from commenting further on the specifics of the charges or the legal proceedings.
A Recap of the 2022 Case and Death Sentence
This recent arrest is a continuation of a legal ordeal that began in August 2022, when Commander Purnendu Tiwari was first taken into custody along with seven other former Indian Navy personnel. The Qatari authorities never publicly disclosed the specific charges against the eight men, shrouding the case in secrecy.
The situation took a grave turn in October 2023 when a Qatari court handed all eight individuals the death sentence. The Indian government, at the time, termed the verdict "deeply shocking" and initiated intense diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
Release in 2024 and Tiwari's Subsequent Stay
Following sustained diplomatic intervention by New Delhi, the eight former naval officers were released in February 2024. While seven of the men returned to India immediately after their release, Commander Tiwari was required to stay back in Qatar. This was due to unresolved charges or legal requirements specifically pertaining to his role in the case, details of which remain confidential.
His rearrest in December, post a court decision, indicates that the legal issues for which he was asked to remain in the country have now culminated in fresh custody. The development underscores the complex and sensitive nature of the case, which continues to engage Indian diplomatic channels in Doha.
