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India court hears final arguments in Mumbai terror attack trial

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] An Indian court on Wednesday heard final arguments in the trial of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, accused of participating in the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, bringing the yearlong proceedings to a close. The court heard from more than 600 prosecution witnesses and two members of the National Security Guard who responded to the attack. Prosecutors accuse Kasab of being one of the gunmen photographed during the attacks, which were allegedly coordinated by Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Kasab claims that he confessed to the crimes in February 2009 after being tortured by police. Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam praised the speed with which the trial was conducted. Judge ML Tahiliyani, specially appointed in January 2009 to preside over the trial of three suspects detained after the attacks, reserved judgment until May 3. The lawyer for the accused gunman faced several setbacks during the trial, including a failed change of venue to a juvenile court and the introduction of the disputed confession. Kasab's first defense lawyer was removed last year because she had agreed to represent a victim of the attacks in a civil suit. Kasab first appeared before Tahiliyani in March 2009 via video. In February 2009, Pakistan officials conceded that the attacks were partially planned in their country and that the perpetrators traveled by ship from southern Pakistan to Mumbai. One scholar had suggested that an international tribunal be formed in order to avoid further complications between Pakistan and India. The attacks in Mumbai, which claimed at least 170 lives, were carried out at 10 locations across the city including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel where nine of the 10 gunmen were killed.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 31, 2010 (boomark / email).