Pak did not consider evidence of Davis acting in defence: US

The US has again pressed for the release of American official Raymond Davis, charged with murder, insisting that the authorities had not considered eyewitness accounts and physical evidence that showed he acted in self-defence.

Lahore: The US has again pressed for the
release of American official Raymond Davis, charged with
murder in Pakistan, insisting that the authorities had not
considered eyewitness accounts and physical evidence that
showed he acted in self-defence.

Davis was arrested in Lahore on January 27 after he
shot and killed two men he claimed were trying to rob him.
Police yesterday accused Davis of committing
"cold-blooded murder" and said an investigation had produced
no evidence of his claim of acting in self-defence.

"We understand that eyewitnesses at the scene said
that (Davis) acted in self-defence when confronted with two
armed men on a motorcycle. We also understand that these men
were found with stolen property and, as the police stated
today, a loaded gun," US Consul General Carmela Conroy said in
a statement issued late last night.

"We regret that authorities did not consider these
eyewitness accounts and physical evidence when they stated
that this was not a case of self-defence," she said.

Davis was sent to prison yesterday after a court in
Lahore remanded him to judicial custody for a fortnight.

But Conroy contended he should be "freed immediately"
as he had diplomatic immunity.

"As a member of the Administrative and Technical staff
at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Raymond Davis is entitled to
full immunity from criminal prosecution by Pakistan under the
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
"All countries, including my country and your country,
freely agreed to abide by these rules. Under the rules, he
should be freed immediately," she said.

Conroy interacted with local and foreign journalists
at her residence last night, the first time a US official has
spoken in public with the media about the arrest of Davis.
Conroy also met Davis at the Kot Lakhpat jail, where he is
being held.

The US respects "the law and Pakistan`s sovereignty"
and the people of Pakistan and American officials "enjoy
working and living in this country," Conroy said.

"Americans and Pakistanis can accomplish so much
together. We need to resolve this case immediately and
continue our work, including cooperation in education and
health, our common fight against extremist violence, and
building bridges between the people of Pakistan and America,"
she said.

"This incident was a tragedy, and we feel tremendous
sorrow over the loss of life," she added.

The uneasy relations between the US and Pakistan have
plunged to a new low over the case of Davis.

Pakistani leaders have rebuffed repeated US demands
for the release of Davis, saying his case will be decided by
the courts according to the country`s law.

Analysts believe the Pakistan government`s stance has
been influenced by public anger over the episode and growing
anti-American sentiments.

A third Pakistani was killed by a US consulate car
rushing to help Davis and the widow of one of the men killed
by Davis has committed suicide.

PTI

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