Jadhav has filed mercy petition before Pak army chief, claims ISPR

Rawalpindi [Pakistan], June 22 (ANI): Alleged Indian spy and former Indian naval Officer Kulbushan Jadhav has forwarded a mercy petition to Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa against his death sentence awarded by a military court on charges of espionage, the Pakistan armed forces information wing has claimed.

According to a statement released by Pakistan's Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR), the alleged Indian spy has admitted to charges of espionage, terrorism and subversive activities in the state.

"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 in the statement.

"Seeking forgiveness for his actions, he has requested the Chief of Army Staff to spare his life on compassionate grounds," it added.

Jadhav had earlier appealed to the Military Appellate Court which was rejected.

Under law, he is eligible to appeal for clemency to the army chief, and if rejected, subsequently to the President of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the case is underway in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after India in May appealed against the death sentence to Jadhav, saying Pakistan had not granted India consular access, nor had accepted his family's appeals.

The court has asked India to make its submission in the case by September 13 and Pakistan by December 13.

Pakistan had also earlier said that Jadhav will not be executed till he "exhausts all his mercy appeals". (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI