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| India-Pakistan |
| Officials make conflicting statements on Kasab |
| 2009-02-19 |
| Government officials on Wednesday made contradictory statements regarding Pakistan's demand for the extradition of Ajmal Kasab -- the only surviving gunman captured during the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Sardar Muhammad Ghazi, the special public prosecutor and deputy attorney general, claimed in a TV interview that Pakistan had formally requested the Indian government to repatriate Kasab so that Pakistan could initiate the trial of the suspects that it has detained. He said if India did not hand over Kasab, who is prime suspect in the case, it would be difficult for the government of Pakistan to proceed with the trial of the other suspects that it had detained in connection with the attacks. Ghazi said the trial of all the detained suspects would be held in-camera because of security concerns and the sensitivity of the matter. But Information Minister Sherry Rehman denied Pakistan had demanded of India to hand over Ajmal Kasab. She was talking to reporters after a meeting of the federal cabinet in Lahore. A Foreign Office spokesman also denied Pakistan had made a request for the repatriation of Kasab. In a short statement, the Foreign Office said: "In response to a question about Ajmal Kasab's extradition, the spokesman said that Pakistan has made no formal request to India as yet." Ghazi declined to comment on his TV statement when contacted by Daily Times. "I will not talk. I am not authorised to speak to you." Shahbaz Rajput, the counsel for the suspects arrested by Pakistan, said he was not aware of the development since it was an issue between the two governments. But he added that international laws allow Pakistan to seek the extradition of any of its national if he commits a crime outside the country and try him in accordance with law of land. Rajput said that a panel of lawyers is being formed to defend the detained suspects. To a question, he said the family of Kasab had not contacted him so far, but he was in touch with the families of all other arrested suspects. He said he would soon hold a press conference on the legal issues pertaining to the case. |
| Posted by:Fred |