Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother appeals for son's release, seeks to meet him

The mother of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav has filed an appeal with Pakistan seeking Islamabad's intervention for the release of her son who has been sentenced to death and expressed a desire to meet him.

The appeal was handed over by Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale, during his meeting with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, during which India sought consular access to Jadhav, a former Indian navy official, for the 16th time.

Bambawale handed over a petition by Jadhav's mother to the Pakistan government and also an appeal by her to the Court of Appeal, on behalf of Jadhav, "who continues to be in detention in Pakistan on concocted charges", said an official statement.

"She requested the intervention of the Federal Government of Pakistan for his release and has expressed the desire to meet him," the statement said.

Pakistan was also requested to facilitate the visas for the mother and father of Jadhav, who have expressed a wish to travel to Pakistan to meet him and to personally file the petition and the appeal. They have applied for visas with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar had also met the High Commissioner of Pakistan to India on Tuesday and made similar points, the statement said.

Jadhav was arrested in Balochistan in March 2016. Pakistan has accused him of being a spy. A military court sentenced him to death on April 10.

India has sought consular access 15 times but Pakistan has denied this every time.

Indian authorities say they have not been informed about the whereabouts of Jadhav or the condition he is in.

India has said if the death sentence is carried out, it would be considered a case of pre-meditated murder.

--IANS

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