Pakistan has charged Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian man they allege is a spy, with terrorism, sabotage and violation of its Foreigner Act in an FIR filed against him by the government of Balochistan, a report in Pakistani daily News International said on Tuesday. The Counter-Terrorism Department lodged a case against him in the provincial capital of Quetta, the report added, but it did not specify when the FIR was registered, according to PTI. Jadhav could be sentenced to death if convicted under the charges.
The case against him was registered on the basis of the provincial home department's complaint, which was filed on the orders of the federal government, News International quoted police officials as saying. Pakistan claimed Jadhav was a spy from India's Research and Analysis Wing and accused him of planning “subversive activities”. He was arrested last month from Balochistan province's Chaman area – located close to the Afghan border – after he entered the country from Iran.
Earlier, the Pakistani Army had released what they claimed was a “confessional video”. While India admitted he was a retired Indian Navy officer, it denied all claims that he was involved with the government in any way. Last week, Pakistan had said it was considering India's request for consular access to Jadhav.
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