LAHORE: US official Raymond Davis insisted in court Friday that he should be set free because he has diplomatic immunity, an attorney involved in the case said.
During Friday’s hearing, which was held in the Kot Lakhpat jail and closed to the public, prosecutors tried to present Davis, accused of killing two youths – Faizan and Faheem — at Qartaba Chowk on January 27, with a charge-sheet.
Reports said Davis refused to sign the charge-sheet. He refused to accept the documents and said he did not want to participate in the case because he has immunity from prosecution under international agreements covering diplomats, said Asad Manzoor Butt, a lawyer for Ibadur Rehman, a Pakistani bystander who was killed when struck by an American car rushing to assist Davis after the shootings.
The judge also asked whether Davis had engaged a defence attorney, Butt said.
Judge Mohammed Yousaf Ojla instructed authorities to determine whether the immunity claim was legitimate and set a hearing for March 3, Butt said.
The US Embassy declined to immediately comment. Prosecutors could not immediately be reached after the hearing.
US consul general in Lahore, Carmela Conroy, and other consulate officials met Davis in prison on Friday before the hearing began.
Carmela Conroy attended the trial.
“Complicated” case
The murder trial is the first of two legal cases involving Davis.
On March 14, a Lahore court will decide whether he enjoys diplomatic immunity, another contentious issue that Pakistan’s government has said must be decided legally.
“Davis case is not so simple as it is sometimes portrayed by some. It is a complex case involving issues in national and international law as well as grave sensitivities that cannot be wished away,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
“The court has not only taken cognisance of it but also declared that it will decide on the immunity issue. We respect the court and will wait for its verdict.”
The United States says it holds Pakistan responsible for Davis’ safety, and prison sources say his cell is an area isolated from other prisoners and under constant surveillance and heavy guard.
During Friday’s hearing, which was held in the Kot Lakhpat jail and closed to the public, prosecutors tried to present Davis, accused of killing two youths – Faizan and Faheem — at Qartaba Chowk on January 27, with a charge-sheet.
Reports said Davis refused to sign the charge-sheet. He refused to accept the documents and said he did not want to participate in the case because he has immunity from prosecution under international agreements covering diplomats, said Asad Manzoor Butt, a lawyer for Ibadur Rehman, a Pakistani bystander who was killed when struck by an American car rushing to assist Davis after the shootings.
The judge also asked whether Davis had engaged a defence attorney, Butt said.
Judge Mohammed Yousaf Ojla instructed authorities to determine whether the immunity claim was legitimate and set a hearing for March 3, Butt said.
The US Embassy declined to immediately comment. Prosecutors could not immediately be reached after the hearing.
US consul general in Lahore, Carmela Conroy, and other consulate officials met Davis in prison on Friday before the hearing began.
Carmela Conroy attended the trial.
“Complicated” case
The murder trial is the first of two legal cases involving Davis.
On March 14, a Lahore court will decide whether he enjoys diplomatic immunity, another contentious issue that Pakistan’s government has said must be decided legally.
“Davis case is not so simple as it is sometimes portrayed by some. It is a complex case involving issues in national and international law as well as grave sensitivities that cannot be wished away,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
“The court has not only taken cognisance of it but also declared that it will decide on the immunity issue. We respect the court and will wait for its verdict.”
The United States says it holds Pakistan responsible for Davis’ safety, and prison sources say his cell is an area isolated from other prisoners and under constant surveillance and heavy guard.
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