ID :
208722
Wed, 09/21/2011 - 22:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/208722
The shortlink copeid
LeT supporter Rana wants a new trial for himself
Chicago, Sep 22 (PTI) Pakistan born Canadian Tahawwur
Rana, convicted for aiding the banned LeT terror group in a
plot to attack a Danish newspaper, has sought a fresh trial
saying he should have been given a separate hearing for
charges tied to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
50-year-old Rana was acquitted of federal charges that he
aided the terrorists who carried out the attacks in Mumbai
after an eight-day trial in Chicago earlier this year but was
convicted for the Danish plot.
He was convicted of providing material support to the
banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, and of conspiracy to provide material
support to terrorism in connection with a separate, foiled
plot involving the Danish newspaper- Jyllands Posten.
Rana's lawyers, led by defense attorney Patrick Blegen,
argue in new federal court filings that Rana should be granted
another trial because if the Mumbai evidence were not put
before jurors, the panel would not have convicted him on the
other counts, the 'Chicago Sun-Times' daily said.
"Rana should not have been forced to defend the Mumbai
and Denmark plots simultaneously," Rana's lawyers wrote.
"Charges of involvement in a single terrorist plot
creates immense fear, prejudice, and the risk of emotion
overwhelming a jury even in the best of circumstances.
"Forcing a defendant to defend two terrorist plots
simultaneously is simply untenable."
The daily said the lawyers also argue that the
convictions should be thrown out because the bulk of the
government's evidence came from e-mails, recorded telephone
calls and recorded conversations that they had access to under
the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Rana's lawyers say that the act is supposed to be used to
collect intelligence, not for criminal prosecutions.
Rana faces up to 30 years in prison for the plot to
attack
the Danish daily for publishing caricatures of Prophet
Mohammad and has been in custody since his October 2009
arrest.
The trial had also featured the testimony of his Pakistan
born American terrorist friend David Headley.
Rana, convicted for aiding the banned LeT terror group in a
plot to attack a Danish newspaper, has sought a fresh trial
saying he should have been given a separate hearing for
charges tied to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
50-year-old Rana was acquitted of federal charges that he
aided the terrorists who carried out the attacks in Mumbai
after an eight-day trial in Chicago earlier this year but was
convicted for the Danish plot.
He was convicted of providing material support to the
banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, and of conspiracy to provide material
support to terrorism in connection with a separate, foiled
plot involving the Danish newspaper- Jyllands Posten.
Rana's lawyers, led by defense attorney Patrick Blegen,
argue in new federal court filings that Rana should be granted
another trial because if the Mumbai evidence were not put
before jurors, the panel would not have convicted him on the
other counts, the 'Chicago Sun-Times' daily said.
"Rana should not have been forced to defend the Mumbai
and Denmark plots simultaneously," Rana's lawyers wrote.
"Charges of involvement in a single terrorist plot
creates immense fear, prejudice, and the risk of emotion
overwhelming a jury even in the best of circumstances.
"Forcing a defendant to defend two terrorist plots
simultaneously is simply untenable."
The daily said the lawyers also argue that the
convictions should be thrown out because the bulk of the
government's evidence came from e-mails, recorded telephone
calls and recorded conversations that they had access to under
the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Rana's lawyers say that the act is supposed to be used to
collect intelligence, not for criminal prosecutions.
Rana faces up to 30 years in prison for the plot to
attack
the Danish daily for publishing caricatures of Prophet
Mohammad and has been in custody since his October 2009
arrest.
The trial had also featured the testimony of his Pakistan
born American terrorist friend David Headley.
