Hague (Agencies): The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday rejected India’s petition challenging the death sentence of its spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
The ICJ also rejected New Delhi’s plea to acquit and release self-confessed Indian spy, ruling that Jadhav be allowed consular access and asking Pakistan to ensure “effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences”.
Indian Navy Commander Jadhav is accused of espionage in Balochistan and terrorism. Both the charges are punishable by death under Pakistan’s the law.
The judgment of the ICJ in Jadhav’s case was read in open court on Wednesday evening at the Peace Place in The Hague.
Pakistan’s legal team, headed by Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan reached Holland on Tuesday.
The delegation also included Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal.
As per the reports, a 15-member full bench of the ICJ, including one ad-hoc Pakistani judge and a permanent Indian judge, announced the verdict in the case.
Jadhav, a serving commander of the Indian Navy associated with Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was arrested on March 3, 2016, from Balochistan on allegations of espionage and terrorism.
In his trial at a military court, the Indian spy had confessed to his involvement in terrorist plots.
On April 10, 2017, Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa had endorsed the death penalty for Jadhav. In June 2017, the Indian spy had filed a mercy petition against the death penalty, in which he again confessed to his involvement in terrorist activities.
On May 18, 2017, the ICJ ordered Pakistan to halt the execution of Jadhav until a final decision was made in the proceedings.