Homeland Security

DATE=04/14/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PAKISTAN / US- BOMBING (L)

NUMBER=2-302181

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A Pakistani court has convicted four men on charges of murder and terrorism in last year's deadly car bombing outside the U-S Consulate in Karachi. As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, two of the defendants have been sentenced to death.

TEXT: A judge in the Karachi anti-terrorism court found four men guilty of masterminding the June 14th attack that killed 12 Pakistanis. Two defendants received the death penalty, two others will serve life sentences and a fifth man was acquitted.

Prosecutors say those convicted of murder, conspiracy, and terrorism are members of an extremist Muslim organization known as Harkat-ul Mujahideen al-Almi.

/// UNVOICED OPT /// The group is on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations. /// END OPT ///

The militants packed a car with explosives and detonated it outside the U-S Consulate in the port city of Karachi. The victims were passers-by and security officials outside the diplomatic mission.

Shortly after the verdicts were announced, defense lawyer Abdul Waheed Katpar told reporters he would file an appeal. He says during the trial he was able to prove that the evidence against the defendants was faulty.

/// KATPAR ACT ///

I am not satisfied with the decision. The case has been completely smashed into pieces (during the arguments).

/// END ACT ///

Members of radical Islamic groups have carried out several deadly attacks in Pakistan during the past year, mainly targeting foreigners and minority Christians. These forces are believed to be angry over Pakistan's cooperation in the U-S led anti-terrorism efforts in neighboring Afghanistan.

Pakistani authorities have arrested a number of suspected militants in a crackdown on Islamic groups responsible for some of the attacks. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/AG/JO/RAE