This Article is From Oct 31, 2009

26/11 case: Pak declares Kasab an 'absconder'

26/11 case: Pak declares Kasab an 'absconder'
Islamabad: A Pakistani anti-terror court, conducting the trial of seven suspects in connection with the Mumbai attacks has declared 14 other accused, including Ajmal Kasab, as "absconders" and adjourned the matter till November 7.

During Saturday's proceedings, Judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan declared 14 other suspects linked to the attacks - including Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive by Indian authorities during the strikes -- as "absconders," sources said.

Details of the other 13 were not immediately available.

Khwaja Sultan, the lawyer representing LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi -- one of the seven suspects arrested by Pakistani authorities, said that Judge Awan adjourned the case till next Saturday.

Saturday's proceedings were dominated by reservations expressed by the accused over the manner in which they were indicted during a hearing held on October 10.

Judge Baqir Ali Rana, who was earlier conducting the trial, had formally charged the accused in the absence of their lawyers.

The accused, who have declined to plead guilty or not guilty, today again protested about the manner in which they were charged, sources said.
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