Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ to announce verdict on July 17

THE HAGUE - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will announce its verdict in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case on July 17, it emerged on Thursday.

According to a communique issued by the court, the verdict would be announced at 3 P.M (The Hague) time by President of the court, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yousuf.

Jadhav was a serving commander of the Indian Navy associated with Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and was arrested in 2016 from Balochistan on allegations of espionage and terrorism.

Jadhav had confessed to his involvement in terrorist plots and subversive activities across Pakistan; the spy was subsequently sentenced to death in 2017 by a military court.

In June 2017, the Indian spy had filed a mercy petition against the death penalty and confessed to his involvement in terrorist activities.

India presents Nawaz Sharif's 'damaging' statement as defense in Kulbhushan Jadhav case

However, before any decision in this regard could be made, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had ordered a stay in his execution on India's appeal.

During the hearing of the case in the international court, India denied Jadhav was a spy and had asked the ICJ to order his release.

India contended that Jadhav was denied consular access and was not allowed to choose his own defence lawyer, pleading the court to direct Islamabad free him.

Pakistan had also presented the arguments before ICJ with Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan arguing, that Jadhav was an Indian spy sent to Balochistan to destabilise the country and therefore was not entitled to consular access.

"His unlawful activities were directed at creating anarchy in Pakistan and particularly targeted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," Khan had told the 15-judge bench.