Massacre in Mumbai, case against surviving terrorist opened and postponed
Mumbai (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The trial of Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab began in Mumbai today, and was immediately postponed until March 30. Qasab is the only survivor among the authors of the massacre in Mumbai last November 26, which caused the death of more than 170 people.
The terrorist, in a videoconference link from the maximum security cell where he is being held, confirmed that he is a Pakistani citizen from the province of Punjab, and asked for the assistance of a lawyer. Special judge M. L. Tahilyani adjourned the hearing until March 30, when a discussion will be held on assigning a public attorney to the attacker.
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, 21, was arrested on the first day of the attacks, and has been held in an Indian prison since then. The other nine material participants in the massacre were killed by New Delhi security forces. The terrorist has been accused of homicide, attempted homicide, damage to public property, and "declaring war" on India. If found guilty, he risks the death penalty.
The dossier on the massacre in Mumbai contains more than 11,000 pages, including documents and evidence believed to demonstrate the involvement of Pakistani elements in the attack. New Delhi has accused the fundamentalist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, believed to have enjoyed the support of Pakistan's intelligence and security forces. Islamabad has admitted that the authors of the massacre had part of their logistical and operational base in its territory.
The court has adjourned the trial until March 30, but the public ministry has asked for a further delay until April 13, in order to examine the 11,000-page dossier.
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