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Shakil Afridi case: FCR reserves judgment
PESHAWAR: The Commissioner of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) on Saturday reserved his judgement in the Dr Shakil Afridi case and is expected to announce a verdict on March 15.
FCR Commissioner Capt (r) Munir Azam made the announcement after defence and prosecution counsels completed their arguments.
Dr Shakil Afridi was detained days after US forces raided hideout of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad on May 2, 2011. He is accused of helping the CIA track down bin Laden. However, he was convicted under other charges.
Washington demands his release and has held back $300 million tranche to ensure Islamabad frees him. Pakistan is refusing to bow to the American pressure. The defence counsel requested the court to declare the judgement null and void.
Dr Shakil Afridi had said in his appeal that he should be heard by a jirga under the FCR law.
He was sentenced to 33 years in prison and fined Rs 320,000 on charges of colluding with private militia Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) and its chief Mangal Bagh. However, the tribal court had not entertained evidence relating to Dr Shakil Afridi’s involvement with the CIA, citing lack of jurisdiction.
Dr Shakil Afridi’s conviction was overturned last year in August and a retrial was ordered.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk