Security threats: Lakhvi files exemption plea

ISLAMABAD:

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday issued notice to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over the application of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, seeking exemption from personal appearance due to security threats.

ATC judge Sohail Ikram issued notice to FIA and fixed the case for hearing on May 6. Lakhvi’s counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, told the court that his client was being threatened and therefore should be given exemption from personal appearance.

Lakhvi is said to be an operational commander of banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and an alleged mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26, 2008. An ATC had granted post arrest bail to Lakhvi against Rs1 million surety bonds on December 18, 2014. Lakhvi is accused of planning, financing and executing the Mumbai attacks.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2015.