Pakistan

Raymond Davis acted in self-defence: Wife

Rebecca Davis unaware of the amount or the source of the funds used for blood money.

Express March 17, 2011

Rebecca Davis, Raymond Davis’ wife, on Thursday said she is confident her husband acted in self-defence when he shot and killed two Pakistani men, Faizan Haider and Muhammad Faheem.

She said she was also sure her husband would return to the US but did not know when.

When asked about the blood money, she said that she was unaware of the amount or the source of the funds.

Davis was released by a Sessions Judge Yousuf Aujla yesterday after the families of the victims pardoned Davis in exchange for blood money (Diyat).

Rebecca also claimed to have received letters from Davis, but was not able to speak to him while he was incarcerated.

She said she learned about her husband’s acquittal through phone calls from people who she did not name.

Protests continue

Political party workers and lawyers in several cities of Punjab staged protests against the release of Davis.

A partial court boycott was also observed in central and southern Punjab on the call of the Punjab Bar Council.

Lawyers in Islamabad were also on strike, while the Lahore High Court (LHC) Bar Association passed a resolution against Davis' release.

The association will also observe Black Day on Friday.

Police in Peshawar baton charged and arrested several workers of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf for holding a protest.

In Faisalabad, protesters burnt tyres near the Clock Tower.

COMMENTS (34)

Abdur Rahman | 13 years ago | Reply @ F. Robinson: According to the US Law regarding the right of self defense: "When an assailant ceases to be a threat (e.g. by being tackled and restrained, surrendering, or fleeing), the defense of justification will fail if the defending party presses on to attack or to punish beyond imposing physical restraint." Apparently Mr. Davis did not try to disable the prospective threat but rather went for the kill and that too from behind the victims (I will use the word victims because they have not been proven to be assailants, and just because Mr. Davis thought them to be doesn't make them one). I believe according to the US law, this is unnecessary use of force, also there were ample law enforcers around and Mr. Davis did not inform any of them, he did not even bother to communicate with the escort vehicle that was with him the entire time, instead he rather went on to use lethal force in broad daylight. Now lets review the simple truth: Mr. Raymond Davis was using a car with a fake number plate Mr. Davis was possessing an unlicensed weapon Mr. Davis felt threatened by two people who had their back towards him and hence shot both of them in the head and tried to run away from the scene, even though he was in the middle of a busy street with law enforcement agencies around, not to mention he tried to run over a traffic warden when he tried to stop him and his escort vehicle crushed a man to death in trying to follow him. Mr. Robinson it doesn't take rocket science to decipher that the actions of Mr. Davis were not in accordance to self defence and can be proven so in any court of law, anywhere in the world. Being a Pakistani citizen, I feel threatened by the presence of people like Mr. Davis, and since my national security should be equally important, if not more than that of an American citizen at least in my country, I do reserve the right to demand neutralizing threats like Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis should either have been trialed and executed for First degree murder or should have been sent for life imprisonment rather than being treated as a state guest. And that is the simple truth.

sajjad | 13 years ago | Reply @ Blunt, When the Libyan govt paid for the locker B victims, American and other western countries withdrew the sanctions..that too was the BLOOD MONEY

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Abdur Rahman | 13 years ago | Reply @Blunt: Raymond davis was a spy and he never had any diplomatic immunity. According to a statement released earlier by the ministry of foreign affairs he applied for a business visa. He was traveling in a car with fake number plate and he possessed illegal arms. He in no way clarifies for a diplomatic immunity. @Nadeem Ahmad Raymond Davis and his escort should be acquitted for a third murder as well of Ibad. Also Raymond Davis never paid the blood money, nor did he or his government ever agreed to anything of the sort, nor did they ever accept that it was a mistake, neither did he show any remorse. In such instances when the perpetrator does not at all feel bad or wrong about the crime that he has committed, I do not believe that one can actually use Qisas or the Diyat Law to begin with. Faheem's wife committed suicide because our Interior Ministry was forcing her to sign an affidavit, our government conveniently announced that she committed suicide due to family feuds, until her statement appeared on the media. It is very much possible that the families have been forced to accept the blood money. In the current scenario the very fact that Qisas was used as means of letting Raymond Davis go is a mockery of Islam itself.

amir | 13 years ago | Reply Bhopal tragedy was a mega disaster . raymond davis is a ISI game to get things!! we all know what davis was up to and whom he killed!! how innocent those burglars were on streets of lahore!! How good the media hype up the fake hysteria and where did the bullet hit-... world is not naive like pakistan!! Anyway turned out to be a good bargain by ISI.,.....Great..!!! what next !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Drones .......more instability and chaos in pakistan

F Robinson | 13 years ago | Reply If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then … anyone who tells you it is a duck must be hiding something. Conspiracy theories gain increasing currency in Pakistan. Rebecca Davis (Raymond Davis’ wife) is telling the simple truth that her husband acted in self-defence.

Nadeem Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Hassan, If Mr. Davis was on espionage mission, then why state of Pakistan acquitted him without trial. Eight most important domestic stake holders were involved in Davis Saga. Federal Government, Punjab Government, Civil establishment, Pak Army and its agencies, independent judiciary, opposition, Mullahs and media. Let's leave aside general public for the moment. These eight stake holders have never worked together in entire history of Pakistan. They always fight like dogs and ready to suck each other's blood, but in Davis case they acted like one and facilitated him to go home unharmed. His acquittal would not have been possible, if one of these stake holders was in disagreement. If he was on espionage mission, it means he was spying one or all of these stake holders or in other words state of Pakistan. What wrong he was doing? Do you still care about his espionage mission.

Shock horror | 13 years ago | Reply @Tahir: Of course, you are a true muslim and a real believer in "Islam", the religion of peace! You show what real muslims are like.

J | 13 years ago | Reply Those who are supporting the court decision are living in fool's world. Leave aside murders, what about his links with CIA? The prosecutor could have pressed terrorism and espionage charges on this dude. But unfortunately, everyone from government to court is a sell-out.

Blithe | 13 years ago | Reply I'd like to see her reaction if thier children are shot the same way.

amira | 13 years ago | Reply the only 'self ' ever existed is an' american self ' that needs to be' defended'.be it a drone attack or a CIA guy killing two men on a busy street by firing at their backs.all done in self defence.great going mrs Davis!!!!!

Ameer Hamza | 13 years ago | Reply We shall never know the truth. But all congratulations to USA for winning this important diplomatic war against Pakistan's ISI. Or has ISI taken a lion's share from USD 2.3?

Fortune Cookie | 13 years ago | Reply @Raymond's daddy: The RED DRAGON is breathing down your neck brother. Be carefull!!!!! All the DOLLARS that is being printed will be your downfall.

Jani Basha | 13 years ago | Reply Madam Rebbecca Davis. As Pakistanis, we do not have any ill will against your husband. This is a small matter compared to everyday killing of innocent people by Taliban and LET. We just killed our Punjab Governor and Salman Bhatti who voiced reason and compassion. We do not have the right to criticize others while our hands are blood soaked.

Raymond's daddy | 13 years ago | Reply All the Indians cheering Ray's release by the "free Judge" should remmember Bhopal !!! We LOVED the "YOU WANT OSAMA GIVE US ANDERSON" play cards the victims were holding!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster To all the Pakistanis , ask the families why they made the deal if you are sooo concerned! Everybody loves my little Raymond in the US of A!!! There are 500+ more like my Ray on your soil and the CIA kills dozens in drone attacks daily. Ever think about that? P.S: We own the World!! (Incredible India Included)

Muhammad+Ziad | 13 years ago | Reply Please do send us another Davis so that our media can enjoy another one of those 'golden' months.

Haroon | 13 years ago | Reply @Erum: The court released him then why to question. The relatives of the deceased forgave him therefore he has the right to go away. Why the people are worrying about his release. At least, an american benefited from Sharia law by paying blood money. That’s all. That’s justice. Long live courts.

Haroon | 13 years ago | Reply The court released him then why to question. The relatives of the deceased forgave him therefore he has the right to go away. Why the people are worrying about his release. At least, an american benefited from Sharia law by paying blood money. That's all. That's justice. Long live courts.

Singh | 13 years ago | Reply Welcome to 6th century Law in 21st. Moving back to stone age.

karachiite | 13 years ago | Reply hope some one else gets a chance to exercise his right to 'SELF DEFENCE' on Raymond Davis

Rohail | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with you Rebecca.

Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply @ nadeem Ahmed, either your ignorant or willfully indifferent, The man was on an espionage mission and killed two people during the process this is a crime against the state of Pakistan not just against the families of those two people. People who are protesting against it are protesting the highhandeness that was displayed by the people involved that include our goverment and that of the US. We only have written documents of the families agreement to accept blood money if they had forgiven him why not hold a press conference and say it out aloud that we drop the murder case, instead the families are missing and have packed up and vanished. TI workers and leaders are using their democratic right to protest against the sell out of this goverment. It is the state which is going crazy and attacking peacful protestors.

How....???? | 13 years ago | Reply Was she watching the murder live on Satellite Television???? How can she say that "she is confident her husband acted in self-defence when he shot and killed two Pakistani men, Faizan Haider and Muhammad Faheem." Its easy to deny a murder if you are citizen of a super power... Simple........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erum | 13 years ago | Reply @Nadeem Ahmed: are u certifying there is no pressure involved, that the families of the killed were not forced to take the money and shut up about it? and its not just the americans who said that, so did your govt. islamic laws wise you might be correct, but i dont think u understand that point of view.

Blunt! | 13 years ago | Reply @Adnan- You clearly didn't get my point. Leave diplomatic immunity alone and then think again? We freed Raymond Davis NOT on the grounds of diplomatic immunity but because we helped the Americans to get the better of our own Sharia Laws by caving in to their demands and accepting Blood Money!

Awais | 13 years ago | Reply Can anyone tell me, who is the terrorist, Pakistan or America? An American comes in Pakistan illegaly, acts like a terrorist and kills two innocent youths.... There is so much propaganda about Pakistan in the west, I think the root cause of terrorism is America and itis allies.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply what about Afia?Rebecca Davis, dont she had right of self-defense

ILLIDAN | 13 years ago | Reply @All- No need to vent your anger/frustration on her. Its our Government who are so willing selling the our Country!

Nadeem Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Davis is acquitted according to Qisas and Diyat Law. Independent judiciary has followed each step with perfection. This law is an Islamic Law and cannot be changed or ammended. Anyone who speaks against this law, or condemns any acquittal under this law, infact insults Islam. Those lawyers, JI, TI leaders and workers running around streets like crazy people, should be booked under blasphemy law, as supporters of poor Asia were condemned and called blasphemous.

Adnan S. Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @Blunt! There have been killings and other crimes in the US committed by foreign diplomats, but they were all released because they had diplomatic immunity. A lot of Americans despise the diplomatic immunity clause because New York city is full of diplomats as it holds the offices of the United Nations. A Pakistani diplomat guilty of murder in NYC would definitely been released and deported back to is home country ASAP

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply I saw her as an extra in one of the big budget hollywood blockbusters. I think this is here new film: Escape from Pakistan.

Yousuf | 13 years ago | Reply Strange... before they weren't sure weather his real name was Raymond Davis or not. Now out of nowhere a Mrs. Davis pops up. Hmmm....

Blunt! | 13 years ago | Reply

On Thursday said she is confident her husband acted in self-defence when he shot and killed two Pakistani men, Faizan Haider and Muhammad Faheem. She said she was also sure her husband would return to the US but did not know when.

Now dats the real Difference! Had there been any Pakistani diplomat charged on similar grounds in the US, his family back home would have already given up all hope of him getting acquitted, forget about him returning safely back to home! Thats the faith the Americans have in their Government and very rightly so...!

Tahir | 13 years ago | Reply Hope she gets shot in the back 5 times while running away, then she can decide whether its self defence or not.

Najmul Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply I thought Raymond davis wasnt his real name :O so how can her name be something davis

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