Mumbai attack plotter testifies in India

An American of Pakistani descent has testified in an Indian court via video link about his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

An American sentenced to 35 years in prison for helping plan the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks has testified before an Indian court via video link.

David Coleman Headley, convicted by a Chicago court in 2013, turned prosecution witness in December for a Mumbai court trying Abu Jundal, one of the alleged masterminds of the attacks.

A US citizen of Pakistani descent, Headley had admitted to his role in the attacks and offered to turn state witness. The Mumbai court granted him immunity from prosecution as long as he disclosed everything he knew about the attacks.

In the hearing on Monday, Headley gave details of the planning and execution of the assault and confirmed he was a member of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba which carried out the carnage, lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani told reporters outside the court.

Jethmalani said he was contacted by Headley's lawyers to assist him in his role as state witness.

Earlier, prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said it was the first time in India's legal history that a "foreign terrorist" would be testifying in an Indian court.

"His evidence may unfold many things behind the terrorist attack.

"David Headley may give a broader aspect of criminal conspiracy, why the conspiracy was hatched and the people behind it," Nikam said.

Prosecutors planned to question Headley about the alleged involvement of the Pakistani army and intelligence officials in the attacks, which left 166 people dead in India's financial hub.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied involvement.

Headley went on several scouting trips to Mumbai as part of Lashkar-e-Taiba, making videos of buildings that were targeted in the three-day siege.

Seven men, including Lashkar commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi are on trial in Pakistan. In 2012, India executed the only surviving gunman, Ajmal Kasab.


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Source: AAP


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