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Pakistani court sends US shooter to jail

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 11, IRNA -- A court in Pakistan on Friday sent an American employee to jail, detained on double murder charges, court officials said.

Raymond Davis, an employee of the American Consulate, shot dead two Pakistanis on January 27 in the eastern city of Lahore, sparking protest in Pakistan and a diplomatic row between the two allies.

The US has reportedly suspended all high level talks with Pakistan and several Congressmen threatened suspension of aid if their man was not freed.

The shooter claimed that he had acted in self-defense as the two armed men wanted to rob him. Families of the American rejected the charges.

A third Pakistani was crushed to death by a US Consulate vehicle that went to help the diplomat shortly after the shooting incident.

Davis was produced in a court in Lahore on Friday after he completed 14-day physical police remand and the judge ordered the accused should be sent to jail on 14-day judicial remand.

The authorities had taken tight security measures and officials from the US embassy also visited the courts area to review the security. The American shooter was brought to the court in an armored vehicle from a police lock-up.

The issue has caused tension between the two allies as Washington asked for Davis release, saying that he enjoys diplomatic immunity.

Pakistani officials and investigators said that the case is in the court and it will decide it. They also said that the accused has not proved his diplomatic immunity.

The Lahore High Court has barred the government from handing over the American citizen to the US, and also ordered the government to put his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik says that Davis has been put on the ECL.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani says Pakistan will not accept any pressure for the release of the US accused and that the court will decide his fate.

**1420
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30238432