Lahore: The relatives of the two
Pakistani men shot and killed by CIA contractor Raymond Davis
in January are set to leave the country for the US after
agreeing to a "blood money" deal to facilitate the American`s
release, a source said on Wednesday.
Nineteen relatives of Faizan Haider and Mohammad
Faheem, who were gunned down by Davis in Lahore on January 27,
had been issued American visas, an official source told a news agency.
"They also have been given compensation of over USD
2.3 million," the source said.
Earlier in the day, the relatives of the dead men told
a judge that they were willing to accept diyat or
compensation under an Islamic law and pardon Davis.
The judge then acquitted Davis and freed him.
"Blood money" is paid to the next of kin of a murder
victim as a fine.
Reports said Davis was flown from Lahore to
Afghanistan soon after he was freed from Kot Lakhpat Jail.
"Since the victims? families had made it clear to the
US Embassy that their lives would be in danger after accepting
the blood money, they were issued American visas. Now they
will fly to the US in a few days," the official source said.
The relatives of the dead men had shifted out of their
homes two days ago, sources said.
The relatives of Haider and Faheem had received
compensation from the US, their counsel Raja Irshad said.
The relatives recently hired Irshad in place of
another lawyer, Asad Manzoor Butt, who is linked to the
Jamaat-e-Islami.
Butt told the media today that he was "detained"
outside the courtroom and that his clients were forced to
agree to the "blood money" deal.
PTI
