Chicago:
For the first time terror suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana's lawyer has issued a statement denying Rana's possible links to 26/11. In the statement Rana's lawyer Patrick Blegen has categorically said "Mr Rana categorically denies involvement in the tragic events in Mumbai of November 26, 2008. Rana harbours no 'ill-will' against Indians and continues to have close family ties to the country."
The statement was the first response from Rana's side after suspicions arose that he and US citizen David Coleman Headley, arrested by the FBI for plotting attacks in India at the behest of Lashkar-e-Taiba, could have links to the Mumbai terror strikes.
President Barrack Obama is dispatching a high-level FBI team to India in a week to share "all details" of its probe into the plans and network of Headley and Rana, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan said yesterday.
Rana's bail hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2009 when he would offer more than a million dollars in bond security.
Blegen said witnesses would testify about Rana's clean record and reputation as a businessman as the defense seeks to free him from jail. "They will testify he is not a risk of flight, has ties to the community, that he is regarded as an honest and a trustworthy businessman and has no record whatsoever," the lawyer said.
"Mr Rana has worked hard and traveled extensively to attempt to build his business. The Indian communities in Chicago, New York and Toronto are a testament to his hard work," the statement said.
A city resident for the last 10 years, Rana owns an immigration business that has offices in Mumbai. He also owns a slaughterhouse near here and a grocery store on the city's predominantly Indian-Pakistani neighbourhood.
The statement was the first response from Rana's side after suspicions arose that he and US citizen David Coleman Headley, arrested by the FBI for plotting attacks in India at the behest of Lashkar-e-Taiba, could have links to the Mumbai terror strikes.
President Barrack Obama is dispatching a high-level FBI team to India in a week to share "all details" of its probe into the plans and network of Headley and Rana, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan said yesterday.
Rana's bail hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2009 when he would offer more than a million dollars in bond security.
Blegen said witnesses would testify about Rana's clean record and reputation as a businessman as the defense seeks to free him from jail. "They will testify he is not a risk of flight, has ties to the community, that he is regarded as an honest and a trustworthy businessman and has no record whatsoever," the lawyer said.
"Mr Rana has worked hard and traveled extensively to attempt to build his business. The Indian communities in Chicago, New York and Toronto are a testament to his hard work," the statement said.
A city resident for the last 10 years, Rana owns an immigration business that has offices in Mumbai. He also owns a slaughterhouse near here and a grocery store on the city's predominantly Indian-Pakistani neighbourhood.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
