Mumbai attack trial begins, gunman shows no sympathy

by TDH | March 23, 2009 at 09:45 am

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The trial of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, one of 10 gunmen responsible for three days of shootings and terror strikes in Mumbai last November, began Monday in India.

Kasab was the only gunmen to be captured during the attacks which killed 166 people in the financial district of India last year.

The trial of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, whom police formally charged in February with "waging war" against India, began on Monday via a video link with his prison in Mumbai. Gunmen killed 166 people in a three-day rampage in the city last November.

The trial will be conducted via video-link until a bomb proof concrete holding cell can be constructed in the courtroom, due to fears of suicide bombings.

During Monday's proceedings Kasab appeared jovial, smiling and laughing often. Two Indians accused of scouting the locations for the shootings also appeared via video link in court today. The men, just three out of a total of 38 charged in connection with the attacks, have so far faced the charges (no less than 11 000 pages charges) with out legal representation - Indian lawyers have so far refused to represent the accused terrorist.

Also during Monday's hearing Kasab claimed to be from Faridkot, Pakistan. Amongst the charges against Kasab are murder and "waging war against the country."

The attacks on India's financial hub sparked renewed tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan. New Delhi says state agencies in Pakistan were involved in the attacks, while Islamabad denies this and has asked for more evidence.

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