ourpakistan
MPA (400+ posts)
LHC blocks any move to hand over US gunman
Agencies
(47 minutes ago) Today
Raymond Davis, an American national who killed two Pakistanis in Lahore. Photo by Reuters
"LAHORE: A judge on Tuesday blocked any move to hand over to US authorities Raymond Davis, an American national, under investigation for double murder, and directed that his name be put on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Visiting US congressmen on Monday asked President Asif Ali Zardari to free Raymond Davis, who was arrested after killing two Pakistani motorcyclists in Lahore on Thursday in what Davis said was an act of self-defence.
But a lawyer petitioned the Lahore High Court to block any move to hand Davis over to the United States, filing a petition under public interest laws.
Local lawyer Saeed Zafar filed the petition, claiming that Davis must stand trial in Pakistan and should not be handed over to the US government.
I am restraining him (from being handed over to US authorities). Whether he has or does not have (diplomatic) immunity will be decided by the court, ruled Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Tuesday.
An order is issued to put his name on the ECL (exit control list). The case is adjourned for 15 days.
Moreover, the United States on Monday again called for the release of Davis, saying that he acted in legitimate self-defence.
He is a member of the embassys technical administrative staff and therefore entitled to full criminal immunity. He cannot be lawfully arrested or detained in accordance with the Vienna Convention, said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley.
The US embassy in Islamabad has claimed diplomatic immunity on behalf of Davis, described as a consulate employee."
Agencies
(47 minutes ago) Today
"LAHORE: A judge on Tuesday blocked any move to hand over to US authorities Raymond Davis, an American national, under investigation for double murder, and directed that his name be put on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Visiting US congressmen on Monday asked President Asif Ali Zardari to free Raymond Davis, who was arrested after killing two Pakistani motorcyclists in Lahore on Thursday in what Davis said was an act of self-defence.
But a lawyer petitioned the Lahore High Court to block any move to hand Davis over to the United States, filing a petition under public interest laws.
Local lawyer Saeed Zafar filed the petition, claiming that Davis must stand trial in Pakistan and should not be handed over to the US government.
I am restraining him (from being handed over to US authorities). Whether he has or does not have (diplomatic) immunity will be decided by the court, ruled Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Tuesday.
An order is issued to put his name on the ECL (exit control list). The case is adjourned for 15 days.
Moreover, the United States on Monday again called for the release of Davis, saying that he acted in legitimate self-defence.
He is a member of the embassys technical administrative staff and therefore entitled to full criminal immunity. He cannot be lawfully arrested or detained in accordance with the Vienna Convention, said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley.
The US embassy in Islamabad has claimed diplomatic immunity on behalf of Davis, described as a consulate employee."
