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Mumbai prosecution concludes case | Mumbai prosecution concludes case |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The prosecution has concluded its case in the trial of the man alleged to be the sole surviving gunman in last year's Mumbai (Bombay) attacks. | The prosecution has concluded its case in the trial of the man alleged to be the sole surviving gunman in last year's Mumbai (Bombay) attacks. |
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, a Pakistani national, faces 86 charges, including waging war on India, murder and possessing explosives. | Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, a Pakistani national, faces 86 charges, including waging war on India, murder and possessing explosives. |
In all 610 witnesses have testified since the case began in March. | In all 610 witnesses have testified since the case began in March. |
The November 2008 attacks left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen, and soured ties between India and Pakistan. | The November 2008 attacks left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen, and soured ties between India and Pakistan. |
The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in the special court in Mumbai says that a verdict in the case is expected early next year. | The BBC's Prachi Pinglay in the special court in Mumbai says that a verdict in the case is expected early next year. |
Our correspondent says that it is not yet clear whether the defence will now call any witnesses. | |
'Not mentally fit' | |
Closing his arguments, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said a judgement was not far off. | |
"We have completed the trial in a record time of seven months. The judgement may be delivered in a month or two," he told the court. | |
class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8385759.stm">Mumbai suspect's lawyer is sacked | |
In November the main lawyer representing Mr Qasab was removed from the case. The judge said he was wasting time. | |
Advocate KP Pawar is now defending the accused man, who was arrested on the first day of the attacks. | |
Mr Qasab originally denied the charges against him but in July, in a dramatic outburst in court, he admitted his role and asked to be hanged. His plea was not accepted and the trial continued. | |
He is to be given another chance to address the court on Friday. | |
Mr Pawar said his client, who has been unwell recently, was not physically and mentally fit to record a statement. | |
But, asked by the judge if he felt well enough, Mr Qasab nodded that he did. | |
The prosecution has also wound up its arguments in the cases of two Indians accused of being accomplices of the 10 gunmen. | |
The attacks soured relations between India and Pakistan and Delhi suspended peace talks with Islamabad. | The attacks soured relations between India and Pakistan and Delhi suspended peace talks with Islamabad. |
After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that Mr Qasab was one of its citizens and that the attacks had been partially planned on its territory. | After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that Mr Qasab was one of its citizens and that the attacks had been partially planned on its territory. |
Last month a court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including the suspected mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is alleged to head the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. | Last month a court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including the suspected mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who is alleged to head the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. |