The reported release of the Omani head of a private defense training firm in Doha, which provides services to the Qatari navy, has prompted the family of a former Indian Navy officer, one of eight individuals from the same company detained on August 30, to renew their plea for the swift release of their loved ones.
Among the detained Indians is Commander Purnendu Tiwari (retired), the managing director of Doha Global Technologies Consultancy Services. A Twitter user identified as @DrMeetuBhargava, claiming to be Commodore Tiwari’s sister, stated that the family had received “confirmed information” about the release of Khamis Al Ajmi, the retired squadron leader of the Royal Oman Air Force and CEO of the Doha firm.
While Bhargava did not disclose the source of the information, she expressed hope due to Al Ajmi’s release and urged the government to expedite the release of the other Navy veterans without any delay. She emphasized that if the CEO had been released, the other officers should follow suit.
The detainees, held by the Qatari intelligence agency, the State Security Bureau, have been allowed weekly communication with their families. Bhargava noted their mental and physical fatigue and depression, warning that further delays in their release could severely impact their health.
The families remain uninformed about the charges against the men, who were all senior Indian Navy officers at the time of retirement. Bhargava criticized the Qatari authorities for holding them “illegally” and called on the Indian government to act swiftly, emphasizing the deteriorating health conditions of the senior citizen Navy veterans.
Efforts by India to secure their release have not yet been successful. The families are unaware of the charges, and the government has been urged to take decisive action to bring the men back. Despite the Indian Embassy’s efforts and a visit by an Indian official to Doha, there has been no breakthrough in securing their release.
