Mumbai attack ‘mastermind’ to be released
A PAKISTANI court has ordered the release from house arrest of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, a jihadist with a $10million US bounty on his head, in a move believed to be linked to a military campaign to bully the civilian government.
Saeed, who was detained nine months ago, allegedly masterminded the 2008 Mumbai massacre in which 166 people died. The court rejected the government’s request to extend his detention, citing a lack of evidence. He is expected to walk free tomorrow.
Jamaat-ud-dawa, a charity led by Saeed which the UN considers a front for terrorism, told The Daily Telegraph the ruling was a triumph for its cause. “This is a victory for the people of Pakistan who support Hafiz Saeed and the Kashmir struggle,” a spokesman said.
In October, the Pakistani army confirmed plans to “mainstream” extremist groups by encouraging them to enter politics.
Ayesha Siddiqa, a defence analyst, said Saeed’s release would “give a signal [to Saeed’s party] that ‘your guy has been freed...now put your faith in winning, do more campaigning’”. This, Ms Siddiqa added, will eat into the votes of the ruling Pakistan Muslim Leaguenawaz in elections next year. Eight people have been rescued after a US military aircraft with 11 people aboard crashed into the Philippine Sea, Japan said yesterday.
Japanese and US rescuers scrambled to reach the downed aircraft in seas off the remote Japanese reef of Okinotori.
The government in Tokyo said eight people had been rescued, and that US authorities suspected that engine trouble was the cause of the accident. Skype, the internet phone calling and messaging service, has disappeared from app stores in China, signalling the latest in a string of setbacks for foreign tech services in the country.
Apple, responding to questions about Skype’s absence, said it had removed several internet phone-call apps from its App Store in China after the country’s government said that they violated local laws. Former prime minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi was the victim of justice befitting an ancient Roman amphitheatre when he was banned in 2013 from holding public office, British lawyer Edward Fitzgerald QC, has told a European court.
Lawyers from London’s Doughty Street Chambers yesterday attempted to overturn the ban in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Lawrence Nassar, the former USA gymnastics team doctor accused of molesting dozens of female athletes over several decades, yesterday pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Nassar could face at least 25 years in prison after admitting seven counts of abuse. Three victims were aged under 13, the others between 13 and 15.