Pakistan

Davis likely to be released in a few days: Officials

US news agency quotes two Pakistani officials saying that the court will order Davis' release soon.

Express February 05, 2011

Pakistani officials in the US have said that Raymond Davis, the US consulate employee who killed two Pakistanis in Lahore last week, will be released within a few days, The Associated Press reported on Saturday.

The officials quoted by the agency say the court may order the release of Davis soon after going through the documents that the US embassy has submitted to prove Davis' diplomatic status. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity calling the issue sensitive.

Raymond Davis claims to be a technical officer for the US consulate in Lahore.

The US embassy said the diplomat acted in self-defence when confronted by two armed men and had every reason to believe they meant to harm him, and said arresting the diplomat was a violation of international norms and the Vienna Convention.The embassy says Pakistan should recognise his diplomatic immunity and release him immediately.

Meanwhile, an initial investigation report prepared by police claims there is no evidence that Davis killed the two men in self-defence.

COMMENTS (45)

true man | 13 years ago | Reply vienna convention offers immunity to diplomats, as he is not a diplomat so release is out of question.....as he personally agreed in his first reply that he works as a consultant.......vienna convention does not allow immunity to a person having guns with him shooting in broad day light to person from side and back...if they were looters must be shot in chest not in back........and vienna convention does not allow immunity to one who has unlicensed weapon with him, and taking photoraphs of sensitive places and still insisting that he acted in self defence.....by this we are clearly stating that if any of our security men saw any one wandering arround our security installations, taking pictures of sensitive locations firing in broad day light and wandering with gun gps system, uplinking equipments and phone tracking devices.......they have no right to stop him as they enjoy diplomatic immunity to do epsionage.....................

meer | 13 years ago | Reply i cant understand if mamerica say he is counsellete that doesnt mean he can kill anybody,does it?they should hang him till death, we should all thing if he killed anyone off our familly members how would we feel?

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Sabir Shah Hoti | 13 years ago | Reply our political leadershipe is under pressure on raymond davis case if the govenment granting the immunity to him then it will inflame the sentiments of the publice, while if they denying then it would hurt relation of PAK-US.washington wranching pressure on our political leadershipe through thier different visite and telephone calls to our presedency.but our government could do nothing in this regard one day Davis would be released ecause our government is not that much strong to bear the pressure on the shoulders of US this every body Know betterly.

Salman Hasan | 13 years ago | Reply @Tariq Ishaque: Are you serious? Rely on the Pakistani police for security, just like Salman Taseer did? And if you were in trouble and your life was in danger would you really call 15? I don't think so.

Hammad Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Shame on us, the people of Pakistan, if this guy is released !

majid maqsood | 13 years ago | Reply He must be released, in self-defense he killed people. what was he doing in that area or even Pakisatn? This should be asked from Pak Govt because all these people have come here by liegal visa and our govt issed them visa so plz dont mix the things. we must talk about rule and rule favors this American guy and he must be released immeately.

Tahir Adeel | 13 years ago | Reply One thing is sure, religious parties have got one more issue for politics. Their demand will definitely be just to “Hang” Raymond devis whatever the situation. After all they are religious parties they have nothing to do with “RULE OF LAW”.

Shuaib | 13 years ago | Reply What's more shameful than the fact that an American can shoot people in Lahore (the heart of Pakistan) and then get away with it?

Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.What can beggars do except obeying their worldly masters.Because the beggars don't have their own self-respect,grace,honor and dignity and it proves that any American can kill any one in Pakistan any time no matter what the issues and reasons should be.

Ajaya Dutt | 13 years ago | Reply Populist and media prosecution of a person defending himself from robbers is reflective of Pakistan psyche of Islamic tribalism. Will it be same if David was from Saudi Arabia?

Patriot | 13 years ago | Reply US should rescind any immunity, and allow the judicial process to be completed. That is what we expect from the champs of democracy and liberty!

Truthseeker | 13 years ago | Reply When the public hears what it wants to hear ,then what it stops hearing, is the 'truth'.With the socio-economic conditions prevalent in Pakistan, lawlessness is on the rise. In this kind of situation, when police 'staged -encounters' are appreciated by the public and sanctioned by the state; nobody should complain about any individual taking law in his own hands.How many times the public has killed the robbers in Pakistani cities, by becomig victims and then turning unto executers of the law? What actions were taken against the (rightful/mistaken) killers of these 'presumed robbers'?.If the answer is negative,then put aside the partiality and find answers of those cases which have not been resolved as yet. Isn't it ironic that the public has not given any verdict and are now silent on the lynching of two siblings in Sialkote. I do not read in the press or watch on TV these 'opinion twisters' talking about conspiracies behind that brutal endings of a family's hopes, dreams and aspirations.There were scores of witnesses and it was not difficult to sift the truth from the sieve of prejudice and vigilantism. Pakistani public should realise that it should not give the verdict only because the accused is White and American.Hasn't the greatest Lawgiver's message been conveyed to Pakistanis in Holy Quran that: 'And not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well acquainted with all that ye do'. (6:8). When the mortals start acting like Immortals and start giving opinions in the guise of verdicts then justice suffers. Do not blame America or Pakistani leadership, because might was,is and will always be right.Have you ever pondered as to Why Mahmood of Ghazni had to invade India for seventeen times? because he had the might and he used it.Bin Qasim invaded India because the '8th Century Aafia 'was in trouble.The only viable option is to become mighty so that everyone will lend you his ears. And till then do not forget that rhetoric is no substitute for might.

atiq rehman | 13 years ago | Reply Well now there are news that the under cover agent first it was not much of an under cover that he got himself involved in such a situation the guys are pros and are trained to avoid and get out of situation like this ,as some news channels are reporting the said guy was conducting survialance of Madrassas ,visiting Friday prayers taking pictures etc etc but a big question is why nobody noticed ,his looks ,his built and and his body language tells anyone that he is no ordinary Foreigner but a trained professional .The Government knows more but i guess nobody has the stomach to say or admit ,bootomline is this whole issue has to be handled with utmost care and not emotions thus our leadership has to take the leadership role and if they do not ,we would continue to hear public sentiments and unfortunately not all the Mob decisions are always correct .

Hello Dawn | 13 years ago | Reply What a decision I appreciate the rule of law in Pakistan...my Nation...the Gov and even the courts are under full governance of US..three cheers. The legal debate on part of the accused says the act is done in self defence. Well shooting a man at his back with 14/17 bullets is prima-facie not an act of sel-defence. Plz wake up Pakistan.

pl/sql | 13 years ago | Reply Whether this person is guilty or not, I think that Pakistanis are being foolhardy. You have chosen the worst possible time and case to be strict with the US. They are not going to spare you for this. I'd suggest that you release him and say sorry. If not for anything else, for your further financial assistance, let him go. No kidding. I know many of you will not like this but its just the plain truth.

Ehsaan | 13 years ago | Reply I ask again, What were the two men on the Bike doing with guns? They obviously had intentions to commit a crime, RIGHT? I agree if they didn't have weapons on themselves, then yes detain Davis but its different in this situation. What if those men had robbed and killed Davis? Imagine the response US would have given. I Love my Pakistan to death and would protect it till the last breath but issues like these two men trying to rob a foreigner are very common in Pakistan, so I stand to believe he was being attacked. Until Pakistani's change themselves and look where the world is headed, nothing will change and the US will continue be our "Big Boss" If a country like Japan, the size of Balochistan can control US nothing is impossible

A.Salma | 13 years ago | Reply All it took is a threadt from visiting US Arms commity to cut off $2Billion in aid to our military and Davis is to be released.! Where is the Ghairat Brigade? Why make a whole dog and pony show about Davis's arrest, ift he end result is what was expected? This should be a message to Ghairat Brigade that unless we get our economy, law enforcement in order and also remove the cancer of terrorism, we won't have any ghairat. Army can make as many Atom Bums they want , we will still be treated like dirt!

Ali Qureshi | 13 years ago | Reply Salam to all I just want to ask that why our politicians who are commenting on that bloody issue not highlighting the matter of Why this davis captured the video after his Brutal act.

Tariq Ishaque | 13 years ago | Reply @ Karim khan,Zazi and Arif, I think , we need to be focused and be specific; rather than taking into account the deceased were criminals; our judicial system is slow, the right of self defence etc; its about the conduct of a USA citizen which is unbecoming of a diplomat in a foreign country; if he was professional and honest diplomat, he would have informed the police about his movement; rather self defence seek police security aaisstance in our so "lawless" country; rather keeping weapon ask for police protection or private security; rather calling his aides ,as per law call 15 but he didnt act responsibly; moreover there is always a trigger that starts chain of events; in this case his irresponsible conduct was the trigger that led to a sequence of events ultimately leading to death of "2 criminals" and some innocent citizen. If they advise their citzens to be careful while visiting our "lawless" Pakistan, why a diplomat was moving without security; he should be subject to some proceedings/disciplinary actions etc Moreover "there are no free lunches in the world"; if our military is dependent on foreign aresenals or aid; we are paying the price at the same time; also helping them in Afghanistan as per logistic support; we cant use our nukes,so conventional weapons are important but what can we do ; only discuss issues on a high tea !!!!

Ameer Hamza | 13 years ago | Reply Yes sir, I will personally drop your citizen and killer of my citizens at your doorstep. I am sorry we had to keep him for so long just for killing our useless Pakistanis. In any case Pakistanis are killed by your good drones. I am sorry and so is my President for holding your Highly Honourable Citizen. Please don't worry about our courts. And just forget our media and our people. Sorry again. (I imagine our worthless minister for nothing, Mr. Rehman Malik saying such things to US delegation which visited Pakistan yesterday to demand immediate release of this CIA agent.) Well done, Democracy.

Sabeen Masood | 13 years ago | Reply @Eeman.: a cowards sentence. you will have to release 100 but they will not spare a single of you.

Soman | 13 years ago | Reply The detention was illegal and against international law (Vienna Convention), which Pakistan has signed. Pakistan itself has benefitted from Vienna convention. Pakistan has no choice but to respect international law or face sanctions and isolations. If Pakistan needs to prosper, it needs to curtail the rampant mullah-fatwa-gun culture. Foreign investors need to feel safe about their lives and investments in Pakistan. U.S. Asks Pakistan to Lift U.N. Envoy's Immunity After a Violent Quarrel http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/08/world/us-asks-pakistan-to-lift-un-envoy-s-immunity-after-a-violent-quarrel.html

Ali Haider | 13 years ago | Reply Yes Master!!!

Noor Lodi | 13 years ago | Reply Not to defend the American, but every killing has a motive. Why would he kill these 2 men? Can someone please explain.

adnan butt | 13 years ago | Reply A question from all of you........... What does this word Diplomat mean here in Pakistan? is it mean any foreigner having american visa is a diplomat?.....

bvindh | 13 years ago | Reply Sad thing that none of the 100+(?) nukes are going to help!

nathan aaron | 13 years ago | Reply :) told you so !

Arif | 13 years ago | Reply @Tariq Ishaque: Pakistan must stop begging for F-16s and other military hardware before it can say no. You can stop saying 'yes' to everything once you say no to military aid. Our military would not like that. So please do not act emotially and tell your military to do the needful.

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 13 years ago | Reply Release of Raymond Davis will create chaos in Pakistan. According to the media reports, Raymond Davis is an under cover agent and has been visiting mosques in various parts of Pakistan. According to investigations revealed up till now, Raymond Davis was in constant touch with the some terrorists in South Waziristan. Employees of US Consulate Lahore Office would know better than any one else as what task Raymond Davis was pursuing in Lahore. What destinations he traveled. His travel records should be searched from the domestic airlines. His camera and his cell speak much more than Raymond Davis. Investigators must find out if Raymond Davis was in any way involved in the terrorists attacks conducted in Lahore after his arrival in Pakistan. Investigators must follow the leads. I am of the opinion that Raymond Davis should not be bail out or set free no matter what happened as it will hamper the ongoing investigations as well as number of terrorists attacks conducted in Lahore and in other parts of Pakistan would remain unanswered.

Rao | 13 years ago | Reply @Bunny, It is obvious It took time to arrange legal visa thro' back channels. No shame. US values it's every citizen. Just note. PML(N) so far silent. Once this man released they will blame on PPP.

Pakistan One | 13 years ago | Reply I knew it would happen, the moment interior minister said he was a diplomat. Things are not as simple as they seem.

hasan nisar | 13 years ago | Reply according to vienna convention agreement with the signature of all those countries that are bound to act upon this law pakistan is al so one of them,so all diplomatres have immunity of crimes,who are enrich with special rights of deplomacy.and second valid and paramount point is that what he acted was self defence.that every individuals have,in islamic and moderate judiciary both of them allowed one to act in his or her self defence.davis must be relase immediately

Wow | 13 years ago | Reply Mullahs have always praised and backed shooters weather they shot Taseer or other innocent people Why are they silent now ,why they are not supporting Davis .Bullet culture is in Pak society How they can force foreigners to follow the law which they don't follow themselves

Eeman. | 13 years ago | Reply Smart move. It's better to release "one" and save 100s who will eventually die due to U.S-slapped sanctions.

samran | 13 years ago | Reply We are beggars therefore, we have rights

wahab | 13 years ago | Reply I think he should be freed if he legally has immunity or court decides that he murdered in self defence. Protesting for the sake of protesting is foolishness..This is not a political issue, why do we bring politics in everything except where there is an actual need to bring it such as the balochistan issue, or karachi target killing

Bunny | 13 years ago | Reply Shame on our leaders...who first all fails to provide the data of this in initial few days If they have isssued him a legal visa. Where is data for yhis guy.don't we have details All US employees working here.shame on everyone who took part in releasing this guy. Even he is diplomat then why he is carrying the weapon. Sorry to PPP and PML voters Who supports this act of brutality. If Pakistan still do not reply then it's an end. We are Again back to 1857, now this time some other nation conquered us. Sorry guys its like same Britisher regime in Asia time

Zazi | 13 years ago | Reply @Tariq Ishaque: Your suggestions indicate how devasted you feel about the likely release of this CIA agent. People doing the release have assets in the US where they are going to return after their loot ends. Can you imagine the man living in a big house in Islamabad do anything other than what is quoted in WikiLeaks of him. Has the judiciary in Pakistan convicted one felon since reinstatement?? This man like other felons will go away and it will be business as usual. Next turn??

abdullah | 13 years ago | Reply who were those officials.....lets wait and see what the courts will do.....though at present this news does not have any authenticity.....wonder y express is printing such stuff

Karim Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Why is our mdia not giving as much coverage to who the attackers were; what they were doing with a gun near Davis's car; were their family's calim that they were giong to court (with a weapon in hands) verifiable; and with their criminal records, why they could still not be considered a threat to anyone's safety? If they had killed Davis for money and his belongings, would Pakistan's judiciary be abel to provide justice, given that not a single terrorist has been punlished so far?

S. Ali Raza | 13 years ago | Reply I am pasting below an excerpt from the Imam Khomeini's Speech that he delivered after a similar incident (referring to Raymond Davis Incident) took place in Iran - 1964. After the speech, which incited a lot of people, he was sent in exile in November the same year. I am sure you will be able to relate it with what has happened in Lahore..... Khomeini's Speech Excerpts “The Granting of Capitaluatory Rights to the USA , 27 October, 1964. I cannot express the sorrow I feel in my heart Iran no longer has any festival to celebrate; they have turned our festival into mourning…They have sold us, they have sold our independence; but still they light up the city and dance The dignity of the Iranian Army has been trampled underfoot! A law has been put before the Majlis according to which we are to accede to the Vienna Convention, and a provision has been added to it that all American military advisers, together with their families, technical, and administrative officials, and servants � in short, anyone in any way connected to them " are to enjoy legal immunity with respect to any crime they may commit in Iran. If some American's servant, some American cook, assassinates your marja in the middle of the bazaar, or runs over him, the Iranian police do not have the right to apprehend him! Iranian courts do not have the right to judge him! The dossier must be sent to America, so that our master there can decide what is to be done They have reduced the Iranian people to a level lower than that of the American dog. If someone runs over a dog belonging to an American, he will be persecuted. But if an American cook runs over the Shah, the head of the state, no one will have the right to interfere with him. Why? Because they wanted a loan and Americans demanded this in return. Source: Islam and Revolution: Writings and Declarations of Imam Khomeini, p 181-188.( Pak.Potp. )

Tariq Ishaque | 13 years ago | Reply Has FO lodged a formal complaint/protest and summoned USA ambassador; can a Pakistani diplomat think of doing the same in USA territory; what sort of treatment will he get; USA should apologies on incident; respect Pakistani laws, compensate the deceased families, issue severe reprimand to the diplomat and conduct an open trial of alleged diplomat with involvement/cooperation of Pakistan officials; in other case it will only aggravate anti USA sentiments

Tariq Ishaque | 13 years ago | Reply Has the foreign office lodged a formal protest/complaint to USA and summoned its ambassador; so they can kill anyone under diplomatic protection and can go home with a smile!!!! will the same thing a Pakistan diplomat can do in USA; really pathetic; USA should abide by laws of Pakistan, apologies on incident; compensate the deceased families, should trust on our judicial system and severe reprimand with open enquiry of the criminal diplomat should be conducted with cooperation/involvement of Pakistani officals. In other case it will only flare the hatred sentiments against USA ;

Tariq Ishaque | 13 years ago | Reply There is a limit of saying " yes " to anything done by USA , by Pakistan government officials ; when we will be a free country , lot of questions quibbles the mind of common man, who is answerable to innocent killing of Pakistani citizens; what the so called diplomat was doing there, why he didnt inform the security officials about his movement, why was he carrying the weapons, why his aides broke the traffic laws, why the driver/jeep was not handed over to Pakistani Police etc, We are actually a born slave; shame on us

Rohail | 13 years ago | Reply Some good news finally.

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