News / International
Pakistani doctor who helped US track down Bin Laden faces treason charges
07 Oct 2011 at 05:28hrs | Views
A Pakistani panel, investigating the U.S. raid to kill Osama bin Laden in Abbotabad on May 2, on Thursday suggested registration of treason charges against a doctor who helped a fake CIA vaccination program in an attempt to obtain DNA from the al-Qaeda leader's family.
Dr. Shakil Afridi was arrested by the Pakistani security agency days after the U.S. military helicopters killed the most wanted man in a compound where he was believed to have lived for years.
The U.S. had reportedly pressurized Pakistan to release Dr. Afridi but the authorities have rejected the U.S. demand.
"In view of the record and evidence placed before the Commission in relation to Dr. Shakeel Afridi, the Commission is of the view that prima facie, a case of conspiracy against the State of Pakistan and high treason is made out against him," a Commission statement said.
The statement said that a case under relevant law should be registered against Dr. Shakeel Afridi and he should be proceeded in accordance with law.
Pakistan laws carry death penalty for high treason charges, legal experts say.
The statement said the Commission has taken statements and investigated the wives and daughters of Osama bin Laden and they are no more required to the Commission.
The Commission withdrew its earlier order to restrain the Pakistani authorities from handing over the Osama family members to any country.
The Commission again interviewed the chief of the main intelligence agency on Thursday for the second time in two days.
The Commission conducted an exhaustive interview of the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, to know his perspective leading to the Abbottabad incident.
The Commission also allowed the security forces to hand over the alleged Osama Compound/House at Abbottabad to the civil administration for disposal in accordance with relevant law.
Sources said the Commission's decision may lead to the destruction of the Osama's compound as many people are intending to visit the place daily.
The security forces have blocked all roads to the Compound and are not allowing anyone, including journalists, to visit the building.
Dr. Shakil Afridi was arrested by the Pakistani security agency days after the U.S. military helicopters killed the most wanted man in a compound where he was believed to have lived for years.
The U.S. had reportedly pressurized Pakistan to release Dr. Afridi but the authorities have rejected the U.S. demand.
"In view of the record and evidence placed before the Commission in relation to Dr. Shakeel Afridi, the Commission is of the view that prima facie, a case of conspiracy against the State of Pakistan and high treason is made out against him," a Commission statement said.
The statement said that a case under relevant law should be registered against Dr. Shakeel Afridi and he should be proceeded in accordance with law.
Pakistan laws carry death penalty for high treason charges, legal experts say.
The Commission withdrew its earlier order to restrain the Pakistani authorities from handing over the Osama family members to any country.
The Commission again interviewed the chief of the main intelligence agency on Thursday for the second time in two days.
The Commission conducted an exhaustive interview of the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, to know his perspective leading to the Abbottabad incident.
The Commission also allowed the security forces to hand over the alleged Osama Compound/House at Abbottabad to the civil administration for disposal in accordance with relevant law.
Sources said the Commission's decision may lead to the destruction of the Osama's compound as many people are intending to visit the place daily.
The security forces have blocked all roads to the Compound and are not allowing anyone, including journalists, to visit the building.
Source - Xinhua
