New Delhi:
Ajmal Kasab has once again retracted his confession about his role in 26/11. Kasab, who has made several wild claims during the trial that began in April this year, now says he met David Coleman Headley in jail "along with 4 other FBI men."
Headley, a US national, was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in October. He has been charged by American prosecutors with helping to plan and execute the 26/11 attacks as an undercover agent of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Kasab, who is being tried in a court in Mumbai, is the only terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 attacks. The long list of charges against Kasab range from waging war against the nation to conspiracy and murder.
The prosecution closed its case on Wednesday. So today, Kasab was asked by the judge to respond to the testimony against him by various witnesses in the case.
Kasab did a complete u-turn, claiming that his earlier confession was made under pressure. He had told the court in July that he was guilty of Mumbai's terror attacks.
Kasab confirmed to the judge that he is from Faridkot in Pakistan. When the judge pointed out that witnesses say they saw him opening fire at Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus on the night of 26/11, he said "I don't know."
Kasab's reference to Headley was snubbed by the judge. Kasab also said he arrived in Mumbai 20 days before 26/11 to work in films. When asked how he was photographed in action stalking CST station with his gun, Kasab said that he has never seen an AK47 and that the man caught on camera is a look-alike who has since died.
Reacting to Kasab's u-turn, Special Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said this: "will have no adverse effect on trial. I have always known Kasab is a "dramatic actor" and "a commando trained to manipulate people." Nikam said 610 witnesses have testified against Kasab. Nikam also said that the US trial of Headley and Tahawwur Rana, also arrested by the FBI, will not delay Kasab's trial.
Kasab's many confessions and retractions;
Headley, a US national, was arrested by the FBI in Chicago in October. He has been charged by American prosecutors with helping to plan and execute the 26/11 attacks as an undercover agent of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Kasab, who is being tried in a court in Mumbai, is the only terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 attacks. The long list of charges against Kasab range from waging war against the nation to conspiracy and murder.
The prosecution closed its case on Wednesday. So today, Kasab was asked by the judge to respond to the testimony against him by various witnesses in the case.
Kasab did a complete u-turn, claiming that his earlier confession was made under pressure. He had told the court in July that he was guilty of Mumbai's terror attacks.
Kasab confirmed to the judge that he is from Faridkot in Pakistan. When the judge pointed out that witnesses say they saw him opening fire at Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus on the night of 26/11, he said "I don't know."
Kasab's reference to Headley was snubbed by the judge. Kasab also said he arrived in Mumbai 20 days before 26/11 to work in films. When asked how he was photographed in action stalking CST station with his gun, Kasab said that he has never seen an AK47 and that the man caught on camera is a look-alike who has since died.
Reacting to Kasab's u-turn, Special Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said this: "will have no adverse effect on trial. I have always known Kasab is a "dramatic actor" and "a commando trained to manipulate people." Nikam said 610 witnesses have testified against Kasab. Nikam also said that the US trial of Headley and Tahawwur Rana, also arrested by the FBI, will not delay Kasab's trial.
Kasab's many confessions and retractions;
- February 20th: Magistrate records Kasab's confession
- April 17th: Kasab retracts his statement; Also claims he was a minor. States that was taken under "duress."
- July 20th: Pleads guilty - says "Mujhe gunaah kabool hain". Goes on to say "If someone feels I have done this for a lesser sentence, hang me"
- December 18th: Retracts confessions again and says it was made under "duress"
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