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US men in Pakistan claim 'set up' US men in Pakistan claim 'set up'
(30 minutes later)
Five US citizens held in Pakistan on suspicion of plotting attacks have again protested their innocence, saying they have been "set up" and tortured.Five US citizens held in Pakistan on suspicion of plotting attacks have again protested their innocence, saying they have been "set up" and tortured.
One of the suspects threw a scrap of toilet paper - with writing on it which detailed their claims - from the window of a van as they arrived at court.One of the suspects threw a scrap of toilet paper - with writing on it which detailed their claims - from the window of a van as they arrived at court.
The men were appearing at a pre-trial hearing in the city of Sargodha.The men were appearing at a pre-trial hearing in the city of Sargodha.
They deny claims they were plotting attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan and had sought links with extremists.They deny claims they were plotting attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan and had sought links with extremists.
Their lawyer, Khalid Khawaja, told the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan that the men would apply for bail on 8 February.Their lawyer, Khalid Khawaja, told the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan that the men would apply for bail on 8 February.
"The state has no real case against them and is now clutching at straws," he said, pointing out that formal charges have still to be made."The state has no real case against them and is now clutching at straws," he said, pointing out that formal charges have still to be made.
"They have failed to produce any strong evidence so far.""They have failed to produce any strong evidence so far."
Mr Khawaja said that he hoped to file a petition on Wednesday for the court to dismiss charges against the five because of a lack of evidence.Mr Khawaja said that he hoped to file a petition on Wednesday for the court to dismiss charges against the five because of a lack of evidence.
'Innocent''Innocent'
The note written on toilet paper read: "Since our arrest the USA, the FBI and Pakistani police have tortured us. They are trying to set us up. We are innocent. They are trying to keep us from the public, media, our families and our lawyers. Help us."The note written on toilet paper read: "Since our arrest the USA, the FBI and Pakistani police have tortured us. They are trying to set us up. We are innocent. They are trying to keep us from the public, media, our families and our lawyers. Help us."
The house in Sargodha where the men were arrested was under surveillance
The message was signed by "Waqar, Ahmed, Ramy, Umar, Aman" - the names of the five US citizens. Correspondents say that shouts of "we have been tortured" were also heard from the van.The message was signed by "Waqar, Ahmed, Ramy, Umar, Aman" - the names of the five US citizens. Correspondents say that shouts of "we have been tortured" were also heard from the van.
The men, aged between 18 and 25, were arrested in Sargodha in December on suspicion of trying to contact al-Qaeda-linked groups and to plot attacks against Pakistan and its allies.The men, aged between 18 and 25, were arrested in Sargodha in December on suspicion of trying to contact al-Qaeda-linked groups and to plot attacks against Pakistan and its allies.
Pakistani officials say the men were planning to travel to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban. The men have denied links to al-Qaeda and insist that they wanted to go to Afghanistan for charity work.Pakistani officials say the men were planning to travel to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban. The men have denied links to al-Qaeda and insist that they wanted to go to Afghanistan for charity work.
They face life imprisonment if put on trial and found guilty. A Pakistani court has barred their deportation to the US.They face life imprisonment if put on trial and found guilty. A Pakistani court has barred their deportation to the US.