Thaindian News

Chicago, June 8 (IANS) The jury began deliberations Wednesday in the trial of Pakistan-born Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, accused of providing material support to Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in carrying out the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

A verdict could come as early as later Wednesday, local WLS-TV reported.

Rana, 50, faces charges that he helped his military school friend, confessed Pakistani American terrorist David Headley, by letting him travel five times as a representative of Rana’s Chicago-based immigration business so that Headley could scout out targets for the November 26-29, 2008 terror attack that claimed 166 lives.

Headley, who has pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, testified against Rana during the trial, saying Rana was fully aware of the plot and had played a crucial role in it.

During the trial, Headley also testified that he took orders from Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the LeT.

Rana’s defence attorneys say Headley is a liar and that Rana was not aware of any terror plot.

Rana’s attorney Patrick Blegen said his client was a victim of the prosecution’s star witness Headley, whom he described as a con man who used Rana to ease his travel abroad as he planned the Mumbai attack.

US prosecutors dubbed Headley “an awful man”, but defended a plea deal with him, saying he carried a treasure trove of information about international terrorism.

“What would you have your government do,” asked Assistant US Attorney Victoria Peters in her closing arguments Tuesday.