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India court begins trial of Mumbai terror attacks suspect

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The trial of the only captured gunman in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, began on Monday. Qasab appeared before specially appointed judge M.L. Tahiliyani at the Bombay High Court via video conferencing from prison. Qasab confirmed during questioning from Tahiliyani that he is from Faridkot in the Punjab area of Pakistan. The court also instructed Qasab that he would be appointed a lawyer. He is currently unrepresented as Indian laywers have refused to represent him. Qasab told the judge that he received a copy of the charge sheet explaining the 12 charges against him, which include murder and waging war against India. If convicted, Qasab will face a maximum sentence of death by hanging. The court will reconvene on March 30 to determine whether an extension is appropriate for security purposes in the prison. Last month, Pakistan officials conceded that the terrorist attacks were partially planned there. Pakistan also stated that the perpetrators traveled by ship from southern Pakistan to Mumbai, where they launched the attack from inflatable boats using outboard engines purchased in Karachi, Pakistan. One scholar suggested that an international tribunal be formed to prosecute persons involved in Mumbai attacks in order to avoid further complications to the already unstable relationship between Pakistan and India. In the wake of the attacks, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pushed for tougher anti-terrorism measures. The attacks in Mumbai, which claimed at least 170 lives, were carried out at ten locations across the city including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel. The attacks were the worst the city has seen since a group of bombings killed more than 250 people in 1993.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 23, 2009 (boomark / email).