The whole truth: Men accused in Mumbai attacks want trial made public

Say leaks of sketchy and biased details to media affecting their image and integrity of country.

RAWALPINDI:

Defence lawyers in the Mumbai attacks case urged the anti-terrorism court on Saturday to either implement its earlier order for an in camera trial or open the proceedings for the media and public.

The in camera trial would bar reporting on the subject and disallow lawyers from disclosing what happens during the proceedings of the case.

In their request, the seven accused men said that leaks of sketchy and biased details to the media were affecting their image and the integrity of the country. Therefore, they argued, either completely ban reporting or open the hearings to the public for complete authentication.

Advocate Riaz Akram Cheema, who submitted the request, said that the men facing trial have maintained that the media was continuously reporting on the proceedings and making comments against them that could affect the trial.

Special Judge for Anti-Terrorism Court I Chaudhry Habibur Rehman is trying the seven men at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. He has asked the prosecution and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to respond by January 12 to the request made by the defence lawyers.

The seven accused men, including Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi the alleged mastermind of 26/11, have argued that recent media reports carried statements made by certain FIA officials as prosecution witnesses, saying that the men trained and helped attackers in India.

Advocate Cheema told The Express Tribune that on May 5, 2009 the prosecution had requested the trial court for in camera hearings. The prosecution had citied international ramifications of the case and highlighted the need to safeguard the national interest and image. The security needs of the trial judge, lawyers, witnesses and accused men were also highlighted.

Later, on July 25, 2009, the anti-terrorism court declared that the trial would be in camera, stopping the media from reporting and asking lawyers not to disclose the details of the proceedings.

Cheema said that they had urged the court to either implement the in camera order or allow the media to attend the proceedings and give the public the details.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2012.