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Pakistan charges seven for Mumbai Pakistan charges seven for Mumbai
(about 1 hour later)
A court in Pakistan has charged seven people in connection with last year's attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai.A court in Pakistan has charged seven people in connection with last year's attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai.
They include the alleged mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. They include the alleged mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
Mr Lakhvi and the other suspects were charged under Pakistan's anti-terrorism act and criminal code. All seven have pleaded not guilty, their lawyers say. Mr Lakhvi and the other suspects were charged under Pakistan's anti-terrorism act and criminal code. All seven have pleaded not guilty.
More than 170 people, including nine gunmen, were killed in the attacks in November. Nine other suspects have been charged in absentia. More than 170 people, including nine gunmen, were killed in the attacks in November. Nine other suspects have been charged in their absence.
Some of those are thought to be at large in Pakistan - others overseas.Some of those are thought to be at large in Pakistan - others overseas.
The attacks led India to suspend peace talks with Pakistan. Indian PM Manmohan Singh said in July talks would not restart until the Mumbai attacks suspects were brought to justice.The attacks led India to suspend peace talks with Pakistan. Indian PM Manmohan Singh said in July talks would not restart until the Mumbai attacks suspects were brought to justice.
Timing doubts Confession of survivor
The AFP news agency said seven suspects who were charged in court included alleged key Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zarar Shah. These are the first people the Pakistani courts have indicted in connection with the Mumbai attacks.
The suspects are charged with planning the Mumbai attacks. It is alleged they trained and equipped the gunmen who attacked the city. ANALYSIS Aleem MaqboolBBC News, Islamabad
The charges were read to them at a special anti-terrorist court set up inside the Rawalpindi jail where they are being held. The indictments come amid renewed pressure from India for Pakistan to do much more to speed up the legal process, and convict those responsible for planning the attacks.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says some may question the timing of the charges, coming as they do on the eve of the first anniversary of the attacks. Security forces here say they're still searching for more suspects, but India has previously blamed the Pakistani authorities themselves for aiding the Mumbai attackers.
Pakistan's government had initially announced the trial would start in early July, but it was postponed. The authorities say they needed time to gather evidence. It is almost one year since the incident, and the strain in diplomatic relations is still, very much, being felt.
Our correspondent says the delay could also have been caused in part by wrangling between Pakistan and India. Islamabad, which does not want to be seen to be kow-towing, has accused its neighbour of taking months to hand over vital evidence needed to secure arrests. The charges were read to the seven accused at a special anti-terrorist court set up inside the high security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi where they are being held.
India and the US have demanded Pakistan take steps against those who plan attacks on its soil - and they will be looking at this case for evidence that Islamabad is serious, our correspondent says. Those in court were Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Hammad Amin Sadiq, Mazhar Iqbal, Jamil Ahmed, Abdul Wajid and Younus Amjad.
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is the head of the Laskar-e-Taiba and, according to the prosecution, the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks.
Hamid Amin Sadiq is alleged to be one of the main handlers of the attackers and the operational head, according to Pakistan's interior Minister Rahman Malik.
All have been charged with being involved in conspiring to carry out the Mumbai attacks.
The charges were framed principally on the confessional statement of Ajmal Qasab, the lone surviving attacker.
"The prosecution does not have the evidence to support the charges it has framed," Ilyas Siddiqui, lawyer for Shahid Jamil, told the BBC after the proceedings.
He said his client was innocent and would contest the charges.
The case was adjourned until 5 December.
Prosecutors say they are determined to bring convictions and secure the maximum sentence for those in the dock.Prosecutors say they are determined to bring convictions and secure the maximum sentence for those in the dock.
Following the attacks, Pakistan rounded up a number of suspects - among them the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed who spent some time in custody before being released due to lack of evidence. He has denied any involvement. Following the attacks, Pakistan rounded up a number of suspects - among them the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, who spent some time in custody before being released due to lack of evidence. He has denied any involvement.