Chicago: Pakistan American terrorist David Headley, who has pleaded guilty to charges of plotting the Mumbai terror attack, has claimed that co-accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana too was involved in the conspiracy.
Contrary to Rana claims of not being aware of the conspiracy, Headley, in his plea agreement, has said he not only told the former about his Lashkar-e-Taiba membership but operation details of the audacious attack.
"In or around June 2006, defendant (Headley) travelled to Chicago and met with co-defendant Rana. Defendant advised co-defendant Rana of his assignment in India, and explained that opening an office for First World Immigration (a company run by Rana) would provide a cover story for his activities."
"Following defendant`s explanation, Rana agreed to open an immigration office in Mumbai, India, and provide assistance to defendant`s activities. At co-defendant Rana`s direction, an individual associated with First World prepared documents to support defendant`s cover story. Rana further advised defendant on how to obtain a visa for his travel to India," the plea agreement between Headley and the US government said.
It said after receiving Rana`s approval, Headley travelled back to Pakistan and met with Lashkar leaders `A` and `D`, among others, on several occasions. Rana had agreed to the use of such a cover for his activities. "Defendant also showed them the visa that he had obtained with Rana`s assistance," the agreement said.
It said Headley kept meeting Rana in between and updated him about his surveillance of possible terror targets including Taj Mahal hotels and landing sites for the terrorists. He also kept Rana informed about the reaction of his Pakistani handlers.
The plea agreement states that whenever directed by the US Attorney`s Office, "Headley must fully and truthfully participate in any debriefings for the purpose of gathering intelligence or national security information."
Since his arrest in October last year, Headley has been cooperating with the US government and has provided substantial assistance in the investigation of this case as well as "critical" information regarding intelligence on other matters, Theis said.
He said all the information that Headley has given to US authorities is and has been shared with India and Denmark. Through the 13 days that Headley "talked", he was informed of his right to remain silent, of his right to counsel, that anything he said could and would be used against him.
"But he chose not to exercise those rights and in fact (decided) to provide timely, thorough, trustworthy and complete information," Robert Seeder, another lawyer for Headley, said.
Seeder said the information provided by Headley has "significantly helped the United States and has also aided other countries".
The lawyer refused to comment on the issue of Headley -- son of a former Pakistani diplomat and a Philadelphia socialite -- being a double agent. "There is nothing in the plea agreement about anything about that (his being a double agent). I don`t know where that kind of language comes from".
On whether Headley would get a life sentence, Theis said the range of the sentence could be either life or any other sentence less than that as authorised by law.
"It is obviously a complicated case. Sentencing is up to Judge Leinenweber. This case has a long way to go," he added.
Meanwhile, US Attorney spokesperson Randall Samborn said life imprisonment in the case of Headley is the maximum sentence without probation. He said Headley is "not eligible for probation".
-PTI
