Terror plotter Rana seeks a fresh trial
September 21st, 2011 - 10:49 am ICT by IANSChicago, Sep 21 (IANS) Pakistan-born Canadian Tahawwur Rana, convicted of aiding Pakistan based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) held responsible for theNovember 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, is seeking a fresh trial.
Cleared of any involvement in the Mumbai attacks, but facing a stiff sentence for providing material support to LeT in a foiled plot to attack a Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, he has argued in new court filings that he should have been given separate trials for the two plots, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Rana’s eight-day trial in Chicago last June featured the testimony of his boyhood friend, admitted terror plotter David Coleman Headley, US-born son of a Pakistani father and an American mother who changed his given name of Daood Gilani in 2006 to scout targets for the Mumbai attacks without arousing suspicion.
Rana’s lawyers argue in new federal court filings that Rana should be granted another trial because, if the Mumbai evidence were not put before jurors, the panel would not have convicted him on the other counts, the Sun-Times said.
Attorneys argue that prosecutors improperly sought to tie the two plots together, prejudicing jurors.
“Rana should not have been forced to defend the Mumbai and Denmark plots simultaneously,” Rana’s lawyers wrote.
“Charges of involvement in a single terrorist plot creates immense fear, prejudice, and the risk of emotion overwhelming a jury even in the best of circumstances. Forcing a defendant to defend two terrorist plots simultaneously is simply untenable.”
They also argue that the convictions should be thrown out because the bulk of the government’s evidence came from e-mails, recorded telephone calls and recorded conversations that they had access to under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Rana’s lawyers say that the act is supposed to be used to collect intelligence, not for criminal prosecutions.
Prosecutors will respond in writing. Rana who has been in custody since his October 2009 arrest faces up to 30 years in prison.
- Rana's plea for fresh trial rejected - Jan 31, 2012
- Rana cleared in Mumbai attacks, convicted of aiding LeT (Second Lead) - Jun 10, 2011
- Rana held not guilty in Mumbai attacks, guilty of aiding LeT (Third Lead) - Jun 10, 2011
- Mumbai terror trial winds down Tuesday - Jun 07, 2011
- ISI helped LeT in Mumbai attack: Headley (Lead) - May 24, 2011
- Mumbai terror suspect Rana to be arraigned May 4 - Apr 27, 2011
- Mumbai terror suspect Rana's trial on May 16 - Apr 12, 2011
- Pakistan's role in Mumbai attack may come out in Rana trial (Third Lead) - May 24, 2011
- Rana denies 'knowing involvement' of ISI in 26/11 strike - Apr 14, 2011
- ISI handler sought progress report on Mumbai terror plot - Jun 02, 2011
- Mumbai terror accused Rana arraigned in Chicago court - May 05, 2011
- Mumbai terror trial begins in Chicago court (Second Lead) - May 16, 2011
- US media seeks release of Headley terror trial tape - Oct 08, 2011
- 'Rana, Headley were playing for the same team' - Jun 07, 2011
- Headley, treasure trove of info on terrorism: Prosecution - Jun 08, 2011
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