The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said it is hoping for a “positive outcome” to the appeal filed by the families of eight former Indian Navy officials who were sentenced to death by a Qatari court.

“This is a sensitive case and the case is currently in a legal process there. As we have mentioned, an appeal has been filed in Qatar’s Court of Appeal,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing.

Bagchi said he was not aware of any decision by the Court of Appeal, and added that the appeal process is underway and India is hoping for a “positive outcome”.

“We are also engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter, and we will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance,” he said.

“I would again urge everyone not to engage in speculation considering the sensitive nature of the case, as well as the fact that the judgment in the entire process has been made confidential by the Qatari side,” Bagchi added.

Appeals against verdicts of Qatar’s Court of First Instance can be filed in the Court of Appeal. After this, an appeal can be filed in the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the Qatari judicial system.