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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Acquittals in US consulate attack | Acquittals in US consulate attack |
| (4 days later) | |
| A court in Pakistan has acquitted four men who were convicted of a deadly bomb attack outside the US consulate in Karachi in 2002. | A court in Pakistan has acquitted four men who were convicted of a deadly bomb attack outside the US consulate in Karachi in 2002. |
| Mohammed Hanif, Mohammed Imran, Arsalan Sharib Faruqi and Hafiz Zubair were cleared of all charges in the case. | Mohammed Hanif, Mohammed Imran, Arsalan Sharib Faruqi and Hafiz Zubair were cleared of all charges in the case. |
| The appeal judges described the original trial evidence as "flawed", defence lawyers said. | The appeal judges described the original trial evidence as "flawed", defence lawyers said. |
| Twelve Pakistanis died in the bombing. The men were found guilty by a special anti-terrorism court in April 2003. | Twelve Pakistanis died in the bombing. The men were found guilty by a special anti-terrorism court in April 2003. |
| It is only a matter of time before they are released Defence lawyer Abdul Waheed Katpar | It is only a matter of time before they are released Defence lawyer Abdul Waheed Katpar |
| Mohammed Imran and Mohammed Hanif were sentenced to death for masterminding the attack, while Arsalan Sharib Faruqi and Hafiz Zubair received life terms. | Mohammed Imran and Mohammed Hanif were sentenced to death for masterminding the attack, while Arsalan Sharib Faruqi and Hafiz Zubair received life terms. |
| A fifth man, Mohammed Ashraf, was acquitted for lack of evidence. | A fifth man, Mohammed Ashraf, was acquitted for lack of evidence. |
| 'Bogus cases' | 'Bogus cases' |
| In a short order read out in the Sindh High Court, two appeal judges said "for reasons to be recorded later, the appeals are allowed", and acquitted the men of all charges. | In a short order read out in the Sindh High Court, two appeal judges said "for reasons to be recorded later, the appeals are allowed", and acquitted the men of all charges. |
| More than 40 people were also hurt in the blast by the consulate | More than 40 people were also hurt in the blast by the consulate |
| They also ordered that the men be "released if not wanted in any other case". | They also ordered that the men be "released if not wanted in any other case". |
| The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says Imran and Hanif face charges in at least two other cases, including one involving a failed attempt to assassinate President Musharraf. | The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says Imran and Hanif face charges in at least two other cases, including one involving a failed attempt to assassinate President Musharraf. |
| Defence lawyer Abdul Waheed Katpar told the BBC that Tuesday's decision was a victory and he hoped to see Sharib and Zubair freed soon. | Defence lawyer Abdul Waheed Katpar told the BBC that Tuesday's decision was a victory and he hoped to see Sharib and Zubair freed soon. |
| Our correspondent says that will depend on whether or not the state files an appeal against the decision. | Our correspondent says that will depend on whether or not the state files an appeal against the decision. |
| Assistant Attorney General Habib Ahmed told the BBC that "we will look at the detailed judgement and then decide on the next course of action". | Assistant Attorney General Habib Ahmed told the BBC that "we will look at the detailed judgement and then decide on the next course of action". |
| Mr Katpar remains confident, however: "It is only a matter of time before they are released. The cases are all bogus." | Mr Katpar remains confident, however: "It is only a matter of time before they are released. The cases are all bogus." |
| Privately, senior police and prosecution officials agree, our correspondent says. | Privately, senior police and prosecution officials agree, our correspondent says. |
| Except for a 2004 attack in which a senior Karachi military official was killed, "all the remaining cases in Karachi cannot stand up in court", one official, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC. | Except for a 2004 attack in which a senior Karachi military official was killed, "all the remaining cases in Karachi cannot stand up in court", one official, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC. |
| 'Extremists' | 'Extremists' |
| The four men acquitted on Tuesday were all members of a radical offshoot of the Harkat ul-Mujahideen militant group, the authorities said. | The four men acquitted on Tuesday were all members of a radical offshoot of the Harkat ul-Mujahideen militant group, the authorities said. |
| The al-Almi faction, which Imran and Hanif are said to have led, was formed in Afghanistan during Taleban rule after the US and Pakistan banned the pro-Kashmiri Harkat ul-Mujahideen. It is believed to be an extremist Islamic group sympathetic towards al-Qaeda. | The al-Almi faction, which Imran and Hanif are said to have led, was formed in Afghanistan during Taleban rule after the US and Pakistan banned the pro-Kashmiri Harkat ul-Mujahideen. It is believed to be an extremist Islamic group sympathetic towards al-Qaeda. |
| Pakistani authorities say its members have been involved in most of the terrorist activities in the country in the last couple of years, mainly in retaliation against US-led military action in Afghanistan. | Pakistani authorities say its members have been involved in most of the terrorist activities in the country in the last couple of years, mainly in retaliation against US-led military action in Afghanistan. |
| Tuesday's ruling follows the acquittals of a number of other men who had been convicted by anti-terrorism courts in recent years. | Tuesday's ruling follows the acquittals of a number of other men who had been convicted by anti-terrorism courts in recent years. |
| At least half a dozen other similar appeals are pending in the Sindh High Court, including those found guilty of the murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl and the bombing of bus carrying French naval personnel in 2002. | At least half a dozen other similar appeals are pending in the Sindh High Court, including those found guilty of the murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl and the bombing of bus carrying French naval personnel in 2002. |