Chilean suspect was framed, says ambassador


Express May 13, 2010

SANTIAGO: Pakistan ambassador to Chile Barhan ul Islam has said that Saif ur Rehman Khan, detained in Chile for allegedly having traces of explosives on his clothes while visiting the US embassy, is being provided every possible legal and moral help, adding that it seems that Saif ur Rehman was framed.

Mohammed Saif-ur-Rehman Khan, 28, was detained by Chilean police on Monday on charges of entering the US embassy with traces of explosives on his clothes.

Rehman, who has done his A levels from an Islamabad college and graduated from the Punjab University, was doing his internship at a hotel in Chile, where he is pursuing a course in the hospitality industry since January.

In an exclusive interview with Online the ambassador said they are providing every possible legal and moral help to Saif ur Rehman and in this regard an embassy official is in constant contact with the law enforcing agencies, legal experts as well as human rights organisations. He said that they have emphasised on the host government that complete justice should be provided to Saif ur Rehman.

The Pakistani ambassador said that it seems that Saif ur Rehman was framed, he has no links with any terrorists organisations and no proof exists of his contacts with any extremists organisations. He had gone to US a couple of months back to meet his brother. On the other hand, sources told Online that Saif ur Rehman was given visa by Chilean honorary Counsel General and he arrived in Santiago in January where he enrolled  in a Hotel management Course.

The US embassy called up Saif ur Rehman and told him to come to the embassy as they needed to update his visa details, which was valid till 2014. Saif ur Rehman after consulting with an officer of Pakistani embassy and counselor went to the US embassy where he was made to sit in a room for an interview.  While he was waiting anti terrorism police was summoned. Sources told that the US ambassador alleged that traces of explosives were on him. Later it was said that his name is on the watch list.

Khan conned into coming to the US embassy

Sources say that Saif ur Rehman was conned into coming to the US embassy to frame him as a terrorist. The claim has been backed by Saif ur Rehman's father who also alleged that a trap had been laid for his son. "My son became a victim of racial profiling and has been detained without a valid reason or evidence. His arrest was clearly a setup," the distraught father said. He said his son held an exemplary academic record.

Co-workers of Saif ur Rehman said he is calm gentleman and does not seem to fit the popular image of a terrorist. Khan's colleagues at the EuroHotel, where he worked as a paid intern, are puzzled by the turn of events.

No formal charges have been imposed on Saif ur Rehman but he is not being allowed to meet anyone.

COMMENTS (9)

Salman | 14 years ago | Reply US is using its agencies to prove every possible way that pakistan is a terrorist country. Our govt is doing nothing to protect its own citizens.This boy is innocent. We condemn the bad behavior of US embassy and Chilies Govt. Saif we all r with u May Allah protect u and bless u
Muz | 14 years ago | Reply In the presence of "Liberal Mullahs" like Pervaiz Hoodbhai, we do not need any conspiracies to prove that all Pakistanis are terrorists...
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