Chicago's top prosecutor personally handling Headley-Rana case

Last Updated: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 23:57

Tags: Headley-Rana case

Chicago: Chicago's top federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's personal appearance in a US court hearing the Headley-Rana terror case is an indication that the US is attaching high importance to the trial of LeT operatives accused of plotting the Mumbai attack.

Fitzgerald, considered an expert in terror cases, has so far personally prosecuted just one case as Chicago's top prosecutor since 2001 -- that of Muslim charity leader Enaam Arnaut, who prosecutors said was linked to al-Qaida.

Arnaut had pleaded guilty in 2003 to a racketeering charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The US Attorney in Chicago was present in court yesterday for the status hearing of terror suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana and is personally handling the terrorism case of LeT operatives Rana and David Coleman Headley.

This was Fitzgerald's first appearance on behalf of the government in court since the case began last year when Headley and Rana were arrested for conspiring in terror attacks in India and Denmark.

Fitzgerald made a personal appearance to tell the court that some of the evidence in the terror case will be handled under strict rules because it is considered classified.

His appearance before a judge in the federal courtroom made it clear he is adding a second: what authorities have called one of the most significant terrorism cases in the country, the Chicago Sun Times said.

PTI

First Published: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 23:57