October 31, 2009 10:58 PM

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Pakistan anti ‘terror court declares Kasab and 13 others as absconders

A Pakistani anti-terror court conducting the trial of seven suspects in connection with the Mumbai attacks today reportedly declared 14 other accused, including Ajmal Kasab, as "absconders. Details of the other 13 are not immediately available. PTI quoting Khwaja Sultan, the lawyer representing LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi told PTI that Judge Awan M adjourned the case till next Saturday. Lakvi is one of the seven suspects arrested by Pakistani authorities. According to the agency today'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. <br/><br/>A Rawalpindi-based bench of the Lahore High Court had on October 26 directed the anti-terror court to take into account the views of the accused and to redress their grievances before proceeding with their indictment. The Mumbai attacks case has been mired in controversy and confusion over the past few weeks. The anti-terror court has issued a gag order on lawyers and others connected with the case and a ban on media coverage.

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