The Hindu : Karachi court convicts 4 in car bombing case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003

International

International

Karachi court convicts 4 in car bombing case

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD APRIL 14. An anti-terrorism court in the port city of Karachi today convicted four men in a car bombing case. The incident took place outside the U.S. Consulate in June 2002 in which left 12 Pakistanis were killed.

Two of the four convicted were given the death penalty and the other two received life terms for murder, conspiracy and terrorism. A fifth man was acquitted. Lawyers representing the accused told journalists that they would appeal against the verdict.

The four men were alleged members of the Harkat-ul Mujahedeen, a banned militant outfit.

The court sentenced Mohammed Imran and Mohammed Hanif to death by hanging. Mohammed Sharib and Mufti Zubair were each sentenced to life in prison, while a fifth defendant, Mohammed Ashraf, was acquitted.

There was no sign of regret or remorse among the convicted. According to reports from Karachi Imran and Hanif flashed victory sign with their hands and even passed sweets to their lawyers.

"I am satisfied. This death sentence is a blessing for me, although our deaths have been planned by the government to please America'', Imran was quoted as saying. Added Hanif said outside the court: "all infidels of the world are united under the banner of America to eliminate Muslims."

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