By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
MUMBAI, India – The trial of gunman Mohammed Ajmal Kasab for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai has begun on Monday in India. He is the only gunman charged.
Kasab was captured on the first day of the attacks and has been held in jail until his trial.
The proceeding was conducted over a video link from prison. Kasab was not brought into the court room for security reasons. The jail barrack in which Kasab stays has been bomb proofed.
Judge M.L. Tahiliyani asked Kasab to identify himself and where he was from. Kasab replied that he was from Faridkot, in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said that that Kasab was smiling as the charges were being read to him. Kasab also asked for legal counsel and accepted a court appointed advocate. Nikam said, “Kasab and his co-conspirators informed the court that they are not in a position to engage any lawyer, therefore they would be provided an advocate through legal aid committee.”
Kasab is charged with twelve criminal counts, including murder and waging war against India. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Pakistani officials have acknowledged that Kasab is Pakistani and that attacks were plotted on their soil. Pakistan announced criminal proceedings against eight suspects.
India blamed the Pakistani Islamic militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, for the attacks last year and say that most are from Pakistan. The relations between India and Pakistan has worsened because it blames Pakistan for not clamping down on terrorism.
As a result of the three day attacks, about 164 people were dead. Nine other attackers were killed. The terrorists targeted luxury hotels and a Jewish community center.
The next hearing is set for March 30, where Judge Tahilyani will appoint counsel for Kasab.
For more information, please see:
Associate Press – Trial Opens for Gunman in Mumbai Attacks – 23 March 2009
Express India – Court to Decide Kasab’s Lawyer From Legal Panel on March 30 – 24 March 2009
Times of India – Bomb-proof Jail Within Jail for High-Profile Kasab Trial – 19 March 2009
Voice of America – Mumbai Terror Strike Gunmen Faces Trial in India – 23 March 2009
