The Hague, February 18: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday initiated the final set of arguments into the plea filed by New Delhi seeking stay on the death penalty imposed by Pakistan against Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. Senior advocate Harish Salve, who initiated the arguments on behalf of India, charged Islamabad of violating the Vienna Convention by not granting him consular access.

"Pakistan was bound to grant consular access. Facts seems to suggest that even Jadhav was not made aware of his right to consular access," the lawyer said, charging Islamabad of violating Article 36 of the Vienna Convention -- the pact which promises consular access to foreign nationals -- to which it is a signatory. Pakistan to Present Strong Case Against Kulbhushan Jadhav: Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Salve demanded Pakistan to disclose the details of the judgement, issued by a military court in April 2017, which sentenced Jadhav to death. "Pakistan is embarrassed to disclose the judgment in the Jadhav case, the charges against him, and the evidence. The story has always been strong on rhetoric and weak on facts," he added.

The Indian counsel told the bench that Jadhav was kidnapped by the Pakistan's ISI from Iran. He was allegedly abducted from the region bordering with Balochistan.

Referring to the purported confession video of Jadhav, Salve claimed before the bench that the accused was coerced for accepting the alleged crime.

"Pakistan used the confession document as a propaganda," the advocate told the bench, adding that Indian was forced to move the ICJ after Islamabad turned down its several pleas seeking details of the FIR filed against Jadhav, and the charges invoked against him.

"Pakistan did not share their probe details," Salve said, adding that their case is "stronger on rhetoric, weaker on facts".

Notably, Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, has been convicted of espionage by a Pakistan military court. He was awarded death penalty under the Official Secrets Act, 1908. He was charged of promoting subversive activities in the insurgency-hit region of Balochistan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 18, 2019 03:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).