The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will formally commence public hearing on the conviction of Indian spy commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who confessed his involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan, from Monday.
Pakistan’s delegation for oral arguments, including Director General South Asia Dr Mohammad Faisal and Attorney General Anwar Mansoor have reached The Hague in the Netherlands while former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani will perform duties as an ad-hoc judge.
The world court has set a timetable for public hearings from Feb 18 to 21 in The Hague. During the case, India would be represented by Harish Salve, first on February 18, to be followed by submissions from Islamabad on February 19. Then New Delhi would reply on February 20 while Pakistan will submit its closing arguments on February 21.
Pakistan committed to accept ICJ’s verdict on Indian Spy
Pakistan has already presented evidence obtained from Commander Jadhav after his arrest, which amply details his activities in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan. Its representatives maintain that it would be incompatible with international law for someone sent as a spy by a State to be afforded access to officials of that State, as India asserts
The ICJ is expected to give its verdict by the Summer of 2019. The court has repeatedly stated that it is not a Criminal Court of Appeal and effective review of a conviction is available before the domestic Courts. Pakistan has, however, decided to accept the verdict of the world court, no matter what the decision may be.
After being arrested from Balochistan in March 2016, Yadav has confessed to spying for Indian intelligence services during the criminal investigation. He was thus convicted by a military court and sentenced to death. Still, India has maintained that he is not a spy; accusing Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention and failing to provide him with consular access.
Published in Daily Times, February 18th 2019.
