Chicago: LeT operative David Headley
approached ISI to help another co-accused in Mumbai attacks
Tahawwur Rana to get back to Pakistan, according to a video
recording produced by FBI before a court here on Monday.
Headley used his personal links to favour Rana, FBI agent
Jeffrey Parsons said while deposing before the US District
Court during the 26/11 trial which resumed after a five day
break.
Chicago: LeT operative David Headley
approached ISI to help another co-accused in Mumbai attacks
Tahawwur Rana to get back to Pakistan, according to a video
recording produced by FBI before a court here on Monday.
Headley used his personal links to favour Rana, FBI agent
Jeffrey Parsons said while deposing before the US District
Court during the 26/11 trial which resumed after a five day
break.
As a result, Rana could not travel to Pakistan again.
"Headley used his personal links to get me the favour", the
FBI agent quoted Rana as stating.
During previous hearings Headley had testified that ISI
was linked to the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes.
Rana`s trial, which started on May 16 and was supposed to
last till June 15, had been going faster than expected.
If convicted, Rana faces a possible life sentence.
Headley spoke to Rana emotionally about Kashmir. There
were also talks by Headley about a fight over who should
control the land of Kashmir, Rana said in the video.
Rana also wanted to open immigration offices of First
World Immigration in Europe and Australia, defence witness a
lawyer from Canada David Alexander Hamilton Morrison
testified.
For India business Rana gave five advertisements in five
prominent newspapers.
US District Court Judge Harry D Leinenweber said the case
had proceeded quickly partly because both the government and
defence had no problems with the stipulation.
A stipulation is an agreement between opposing parties
prior to a pending hearing or trial when both parties agree on
certain aspects on which they do not argue.
"We`re fairly close to the end of the case," Leinenweber
said during the last hearing.
Final arguments will take place tomorrow and the verdict
may come as early as June 8.
Rana was indicted by a federal grand jury under 12 counts
on February 15 last year for planning out the Mumbai attacks,
providing material support to LeT to carry out the bombings,
and guiding Headley in scouting targets in Mumbai in the
process.
Rana, on the other hand, said that he was duped by
Headley, who has pleaded guilty to scouting sites in Mumbai.
On December 8, 2009, FBI additionally accused Headley of
conspiring to bomb targets in Mumbai, providing material
support to LeT and aiding and abetting the murder of US
citizens in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Headley pleaded guilty to all charges on March 18, 2010.
He faces life in prison and a three million dollar fine when
he is sentenced.
PTI
