Pak says Jadhav has sought mercy, releases new video

Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national sentenced to death by Pakistan on espionage charges, has filed a mercy petition to the chief of army staff, Pakistan military’s media wing said on Thursday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also said another “confessional video in which he (Jadhav) can be seen accepting his acts of terrorism and espionage” was released. “In his plea, Commander Jadhav has admitted his involvement in espionage, terrorist and subversive activities in Pakistan and expressed remorse at the resultant loss of many precious innocent lives and extensive damage to property due to his actions,” the ISPR said.

Jhadav had earlier appealed to the military appellate court which was rejected, it said. “Under the law, he is eligible to appeal for clemency to the COAS (which he has done) and if rejected, subsequently to the President of Pakistan.”

The International Court of Justice recently ordered Pakistan not to execute Jadhav, convicted of spying, until it hears a case brought by India arguing that Islamabad violated a treaty guaranteeing diplomatic assistance to foreigners accused of crimes. The court is the top United Nations legal body for hearing disputes between states and its rulings are binding --though occasionally flouted.

Jadhav, a former officer in the Indian Navy, was arrested in March 2016 in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. Pakistani authorities say Jadhav confessed to being assigned by India’s intelligence service to plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities in Baluchistan “aiming to destabilise and wage war against Pakistan”. In April, a Pakistani military court sentenced him to death.

Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former officer of the Indian Navy, was arrested in March 2016 from Balochistan. Pakistani authorities say he confessed to being assigned by R&AW to organise sabotage activities.