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Trial Concludes of Pakistani Gunman Captured In Mumbai Terror Attacks

31 March 2010 22:49 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Judgment set for May 3rd in case of 22-year-old Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, APA reports quoting â€œThe Voice of Americaâ€.
The trial of the lone Pakistani gunman captured in connection with the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai has concluded.

A year after a special court began hearing evidence against 22-year-old Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the judge heard concluding arguments and set the judgment for May 3.

The prosecution has asked for a death sentence for the man who has been accused of murder and waging war against India.

Kasab was captured during the attacks which were executed by about ten terrorists on high profile targets including five star hotels, a Jewish Center and a rail station in Mumbai in November 2008. Scores were injured and 166 people died during the attacks, which lasted 60 hours.

Indian investigators say the attackers came from Pakistan via boat to Mumbai to mount the attacks, which were masterminded by the Pakistan based terror group, Lashkar-e-Taiba. Kasab was the only gunman captured alive.

The prosecution has presented evidence from nearly 300 people and a photo of Kasab carrying an AK-47 machine gun at the rail station which was attacked.

State prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, says the case against him has been well documented.

"Our investigating agencies [have] taken lot of pains in establishing the case against Ajmal Kasab," Nikam said.

Kasab initially said in court that he was not guilty. In a dramatic turnaround in July, he admitted to being one of the gunmen who opened fire at a train station, but then again retracted his confession in December.

The trial has proceeded swiftly in a country where court cases drag on for years.

In Pakistan, which has said that the attacks were partly plotted on its soil, seven planners of the attack are on trial, but their cases have been frequently delayed.

The terror attacks raised tensions between Pakistan and India. New Delhi has demanded that Pakistan should bring to justice those arrested in connection with the attacks.