Rana Trial

[arun]

The Globe and Mail is reporting that the upcoming trial of Pakistani origin Islamic Terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana for links to the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack is going to “lend an aura of credence to the suspicions of ISI complicity“:

Accused in India massacre claims ties to Pakistani secret service

Mr. Rana’s trial threatens to lend an aura of credence to the suspicions of ISI complicity. According to court documents, the jury will hear the two Chicago conspirators say they believed themselves to be working for both LeT and the ISI.

Previously secret testimony heard only by a grand jury is referred to in a decision published earlier this month.

“I also told him [Mr. Rana] … how I had been asked to perform espionage work for ISI,” Mr. Headley, a Pakistani-American, testified to the grand jury.

Though cryptic, the statement is highly significant………………..

The Globe and Mail

Also check out the PDF file attached to the article which states “Defendant’s proposed defense is that his alleged illegal acts of providing material support to terrorists – at least those related to the Mumbai attacks – were done at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, not the Lashkar terrorist organization.”

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

[SSridhar]

X-Posted from the TSP thread

Accused in India massacre claims ties to Pakistani secret service
The Globe and Mail

From the above, the following is most audacious and completely Paqui in nature:

Mr. Rana argues he is a Pakistani patriot who was led to believe the ISI wanted his help – and therefore he should get the equivalent of diplomatic immunity.

[Chinmayanand]

Mumbai terror attack: LeT's Tahawwur Rana confirms Pak govt, ISI's 26/11 role

In a crucial disclosure that confirms the direct role of Pakistani state actors in the 26/11 conspiracy, arrested LeT operative Tahawwur Hussain Rana has told a US court that he had provided material support for the attacks "at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, and not the LeT". Rana, along with US citizen David Headley , had allegedly prepared the ground for the Mumbai carnage.

Accused in India massacre claims ties to Pakistani secret service

India-Pakistan tensions will likely be inflamed by a trial that’s slated to begin in the United States next month: New court documents reveal that two terrorist operatives accused in the 2008 Mumbai massacre conspiracy are preparing to say they believed themselves to be working for Pakistani spies.

On May 16 in Chicago, Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana is to go on trial for allegedly providing terrorist scouts with the false credentials they used to pick targets in India’s largest city. Months after the surveillance operation was executed, Pakistani gunmen stormed luxury hotels, train stations and a Jewish centre, killing more than 160 civilians.

The rampage threatened to set two nuclear-armed neighbours on the path to war, until Pakistan – backed by U.S. intelligence officials – rushed to assure India that the attacks were not state-sponsored. A year later, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in Illinois arrested Mr. Rana and his long-time friend David Coleman Headley – and accused the two Pakistani expatriates in their 50s of doing surveillance on behalf of a terrorist group.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, or LeT, is blamed for the Mumbai massacre, though Indian officials suspect the jihadists did not operate alone. Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, or ISI, is notorious for rogue elements and double games – and it has long cultivated ties with militant Islamist groups such as LeT to create buffers.

Mr. Rana’s trial threatens to lend an aura of credence to the suspicions of ISI complicity. According to court documents, the jury will hear the two Chicago conspirators say they believed themselves to be working for both LeT and the ISI.

Previously secret testimony heard only by a grand jury is referred to in a decision published earlier this month.

“I also told him [Mr. Rana] … how I had been asked to perform espionage work for ISI,” Mr. Headley, a Pakistani-American, testified to the grand jury.

Though cryptic, the statement is highly significant.

Having turned FBI informer in a bid to escape the death penalty, Mr. Headley will reveal the blow-by-blow of the Mumbai massacre surveillance scheme when he gives evidence against Mr. Rana.

That testimony should include the specifics on how Mr. Headley anglicized his Pakistani name, cultivated ties with LeT, videotaped sites in Mumbai, and briefed his handlers in Pakistan in the run-up to the carnage.

Speaking about how he entered India under a “false flag” to scout out targets, Mr. Headley told the grand jury that “I told [Mr. Rana] about my assignment to conduct surveillance in Mumbai. … I explained to him that the immigration office would provide a cover story for why I was in Mumbai.”

Though Mr. Rana is a Canadian citizen, for years he has been the proprietor of First World Immigration Services, a consultancy based in a South Asian enclave of Chicago.

Mr. Rana has been struggling to explain away allegations that he gave Mr. Headley the papers that allowed him to pose as an immigration consultant. According to recent filings, Mr. Rana argues he is a Pakistani patriot who was led to believe the ISI wanted his help – and therefore he should get the equivalent of diplomatic immunity.

On April 1, Judge Harry Leinenweber ruled that that defence to be “objectively unreasonable.”

“Defendant's proposed defence is that his alleged illegal acts of providing material support to terrorists – at least those related to the Mumbai attacks – were done at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, not the Lashkar terrorist organization,” reads the decision. “He argues that he is entitled to a public-authority defence because he acted under the authority – whether actual or apparent – of the Pakistani government and the ISI.”

Prosecutors also say they caught Mr. Rana and Mr. Headley on tape after the Mumbai attacks, discussing a plot to kill a Danish cartoonist who had lampooned the Prophet Mohammed.

[ramana]

Am opening a new thread to discuss the Rana case just as we did the Daoud Gilani/David Headley case. I expect new revelations which contradict the DCH case. Lets see.

[ramana]

Rana's confession: Should Pak be worried?

April 12, 2011 23:49 IST
Tags: Headley, ISI, Tahawwur Rana, National Investigating Agency, Central Intelligence Agency

[url=http://www.rediff.%20com/news/%20report/should-%20pak-be-worried-%20by-ranas-%20confession/%2020110413.%20htm]LINK[/url]


The trial against Tahawwur Rana [ Images ], co-accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks [ Images ], is expected to be a high drama affair. The trial, which will commence on May 16, will be aided by Rana's confession, which was made before the Chicago court.

The confession itself is interesting; where Rana goes on to place the entire blame for the 26/11 fiasco on the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Pakistani establishment. Interestingly, there is no blame on Lashkar-e-Tayiba [ Images ] which finally staged the attack.

The court had however rejected this confession on the April 1, stating that the defence was objectively unreasonable. However, when the trial commences, Rana's legal team will have a lot more to do in order to prove the allegations.

However, Indian officials are all smiles with this development, and say that their stand has been vindicated. * Rana goes on to state in his confession that the entire attack was done at the behest of the Pakistani government and the ISI, and not at the behest of LeT.

Apart from proving these allegations, he will also have to explain why he had provided material and documents to Headley in order to enter India. Rana, who is the proprietor of the First World Immigration Services in Chicago, had helped Headley with documents which in turn helped him pose as an immigration consultant from the United States.

Rana's stand is an interesting one. Despite the entire world stating that the attack was carried out by LeT, he only sticks to the role played by the Pakistani government and the ISI. Rana's statement to this effect, clears one part of the doubt since he himself goes on to say that he considers himself to be a Pakistani patriot and the ISI had sought his help.

Since he had done work for the establishment, he should be entitled for diplomatic immunity.{Shades of Rahman Dawood defence!} Another interesting aspect to this confession is that this comes in the backdrop of stressed times between the ISI and the Central Intelligence Agency.

The biggest problem is however for Pakistan, since Rana's statements threaten to blow away all claims that the country has been making, denying any involvement in the 26/11Mumbai attack. Moreover, it would also justify Headley's statements regarding of Pakistan's involvement in the attack.

Although Headley's statements were more guarded in this regard, Rana has been more direct and open about this aspect.

This trial which will include both Headley and Rana will be watched closely by National Investigating Agency, which is probing this case now. The statements by both these accused will help the NIA coordinate and corroborate their case better, which in turn would help them file a fool proof chargesheet.

Headley during his testimony before the grand jury had said that he had managed to enter India under a false flag in order to survey targets for the attack.

"I had told Rana about my assignment and explained to him that the immigration office would provide a cover story for why I was in India. I had also shared with Rana that I had been asked to work for the ISI," he said.
Rana would now have to explain in detail about his links with the ISI, the Pakistan government and also Headley, once the trial commences. The trial is expected to be completed within a month. NIA sources say that they would interrogate Rana once the trial is complete, and a formal request would be sent in this regard to the US at that point in time.

Vicky Nanjappa

I don't think TSP has anything to fear from this. Rana's confession is a cat fight between two gingham cats. India already knows who did it and why they did it. But cant do anything as it gets to wrestle the pig in the mud protected by bigger hogs.

The right thing to do is to shoot it in the confusion.

* Reminds me of shiv's allegory about a mouse with a self contented smile hearing about a cat being molested!

[A_Gupta]

The interesting thing in the trial will be if the judge gives Rana's defence any leeway in extracting more information from the US government as part of the defence. Of course, the US government will object and appeal on the grounds of national security, and ultimately it will likely be upheld, so nothing new will come out.

[Maram]

http://connect.in.com/tahawwur-hussain- ... 81961.html

This low life vermin who has assisted mass murder and human carnage is a doctor(before he turned terrorist). That is shocking As a doctor, you are trained to save lives not take them.Disgusting, But I suppose Baakistan has difarent rules onlee hain ji !

[ramana]

He took the hypocratic oath instead of the Hippocritic oath all other doctors take!

[CRamS]

TSP has absolutely nothing to worry because when it comes to India, they are united in their lies. Thus, they can manage to deflect anything Rana says. Even if he implicates ISI, TSP will come out with something like one or two rotten apples, we'll take care of them, now lets talk Kashmir. Previously TSP denied anything to do with terror. Now its non state actors, we also victims onlee etc. All this wiggling out is possible because at the end of the day, any evidence is only as good as the punishment that can be meted out to TSP based on that evidence. Short of that, TSP can wiggle out of anything, and with India, it can do equal equal no matter how high up in the chain of command the evidence points to. So even if Rana names a TSPA general, TSP will come out and say, we have this bad apple, you have colonel ProHit, now lets talks Kashmir and play cricket. One day, if TSP manages to fly its green crescent over the red fort, then TSP historians will revel in the truth that made it possible .

[vera_k]

All they have to do is follow MMS modus operandi on Wikileaks. Just refuse to dignify any evidence produced.

[Charlie]

If this is an open for public trial.. BRFites in Chicago can catch a glimpse of the action inside the court room.

[SSridhar]

http://connect.in.com/tahawwur-hussain- ... 81961.html

This low life vermin who has assisted mass murder and human carnage is a doctor(before he turned terrorist). That is shocking As a doctor, you are trained to save lives not take them.Disgusting, But I suppose Baakistan has different rules onlee hain ji !

Maram, Pakistanis are all terrorists first and foremost, then Berelvi/Deobandi/Ahl-e-Hadees/Seveners/Twelvers etc, then Sunni or Shi'a or Ahmedi, then Muslims, then Pakistanis, then different linguistic people, then sub nationalists etc. etc. I am not referring to the stateless people of Pakistan, namely Hindus, Sikhs, Christians. there. If we have that gyan, everything will fall into place.

[Maram]

Ramana ji,

Well said ! Hypocratic oath for sure !

SSridhar ji,

Having been a lurker and former poster on BR since 2000-2001, I am aware of that, especially educated by posts by people like JRJRaw,Rawngudu, Yourself and Gagan ji. But the naive doctor in me thinks, Doctors seeing so much suffering in life of patients and nobility of the profession stupidly felt Doctors(even if they are from TSP) will never indulge in acts of mass murder. This Rana vermin/low life clearly is a clear example and illustrates Shiv ji saying "Jo Lahore mein gandu, woh----- mein bhi gandu". Heck, nothing about TSP should surprise us any more....

[Pratyush]

Can this trial be seen from the POV of the suit against the ISI in the US court relating to 26/11.

[ramana]

Maram garu, I knew you would get the pun.

[arun]

X Posted from the Mumbai Terrorist Attack thread.

I did not see this news posted anywhere else on the forum :

Four new indictments in Chicago court :

Four Pakistanis have been charged as co-conspirators in the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans, US prosecutors said on Monday.

The four were previously mentioned, but not named, in indictments charging American David Headley and Pakistani-born Chicago businessman Tahawwur Rana with helping to identify targets in Mumbai. {Snipped} ..........................

The Court document dealing with the fresh indictment of 4 citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan namely Mazhar Iqbal, Abu Qahafa, "Major Iqbal" and Sajid Mir for the 26/11 Islamic Terrorist attack of Mumbai is here;

Second Superceding Indictment

[Ravi Karumanchiri]

X-POSTED - The Curious Case of Daood Gilani alias David Headley & co
X-POSTED - Pakistani Role in Global Terrorism
X-POSTED - India-US Strategic News and Discussion


Canadian’s trial in Mumbai terror case could link Pakistan, terror group
Sophia Tareen, Associated Press

CHICAGO—A Chicago courtroom could become the unlikely venue for revealing alleged connections between the terrorist group blamed for the 2008 rampage that killed more than 160 people in Mumbai and Pakistan’s main intelligence agency, which has come under increased scrutiny following Osama bin Laden’s killing.

Jury selection begins Monday in the case against businessman Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national who has lived in Chicago for years.
He is accused of helping a former boarding school friend serve as a scout for the militant group that carried out the three-day attack in India’s largest city. Though the accusations against Rana are fairly straightforward, the implications of the trial could be enormous.

<snip>

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/artic ... group?bn=1


&


NIA to finalise charges against Rana after US trial
New Delhi, May 16, (IANS):

India's main terror probe wing, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), would soon file charges against David Headley and Tahawwur Rana after the latter's trial concludes in a US court for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, sources said Monday.

Pakistani-born Rana is set to appear in for the trial in Chicago that India is closely monitoring because it may unmask the links between Pakistan's spy agency ISI and terrorists.

The court proceedings, which Indian investigators expect could throw more light on the Mumbai attack conspiracy, could come handy for the NIA in finalising its chargesheet against the Headley and Rana, sources said.

<snip>

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/161 ... -rana.html


&


Tahawwur Rana's trial to begin in Chicago today, could expose ISI role in 26/11
PTI | May 16, 2011, 11.00am IST


CHICAGO: The trial of Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana, co-accused with David Headley in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, could reveal ISI's links to terrorists and any evidence of spy agency's "malfeasance" would worsen US-Pakistan relations.

<snip>

"What he discloses could deepen suspicions that Pakistani spies are connected to terrorists and could potentially worsen relations between Washington and Islamabad," New York Times reported.

<snip>

"Any new evidence of ISI malfeasance that emerges from the trial will reverberate in Washington," the daily said.

<snip>

A growing chorus on US Capitol Hill argues that the discovery of bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad and the evidence in Headley's case leave no doubt that the ISI and its Pakistani military overseers have played a cynical double game with the United States, the Times said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 354267.cms



&


Terror suspect Tahawwur Rana in Chicago court
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Chuck Goudie

May 11, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A Chicago man accused of committing terrorist crimes 8,000 miles away was in federal court Wednesday in Chicago.
In this Intelligence Report: The government is gearing up for the most significant terrorism trial ever in Chicago.
Wednesday's court appearance by Tahawwur Rana was intended to smooth some legal wrinkles in a contentious and complicated case. This trial has far-reaching implications, not only in the U.S. war on terror, but also in relations between the United States, Pakistan and India-- and between those two nations themselves, a relationship already frayed and on edge.
<snip> INCLUDES TV VIDEO REPORT

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sectio ... id=8125933



&


Trial Raises Questions On Pakistan's Terrorism Ties
by Dina Temple-Raston
May 13, 2011
A terrorism trial set to begin in Chicago next week could end up further inflaming tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan. The case involves Tahawwur Rana, who was arrested two years ago and charged with conspiring with others in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Jury selection in his case begins Monday, but the question of Rana's guilt or innocence has taken a back seat to a bigger issue: Pakistan's role in the deadly attacks.

<snip>

"I can't remember a case in terms of either its substance or timing that has such potential grave political impact," said Juan Zarate, a terrorism expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former member of the Bush administration. "In a very real way, you have the Pakistani intelligence services, and perhaps the military, on trial here for its potential complicity in the 2008 attacks — and that's in the wake of all the questions that have arisen about Pakistan complicity in harboring bin Laden. This is a volatile mix coming at a volatile time."

<snip>

"I think people will be left wondering why the United States not looked closer at the ISI and everything that is going on in Pakistan," said Charles Swift, Rana's defense attorney.

<snip>

"For the first time, America has confirmed what India has been saying all along: That the 10 men that came onto Mumbai shores were not acting alone; they were trained and tutored by the ISI — that the entire operation was monitored from Islamabad," said the anchor of the Indian news channel TimesNow. "We knew it."

Swift, the defense lawyer, says he expects the courtroom will be filled with Indian reporters, and now, in the wake of the bin Laden raid, the U.S. media are going to be there in force, too. All of that attention might explain something prosecutors have just done: NPR has learned that a couple of days ago, they asked for a special hearing — something called a Section 6, SIPA hearing, in which the prosecution and the defense hash out what can be safely said in court without revealing classified information.

Calling a SIPA hearing this late in a case is an unusual maneuver. Those kinds of details are usually settled months in advance. Amid all the sturm und drang of the past two weeks, prosecutors may have had some second thoughts about what they want to reveal in court.

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/13/136254210 ... orism-ties


&


Perfidious Pakistan
By Jed Babbin on 5.16.11 @ 6:09AM [Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies.]

Last weekend, Pakistan's parliament... <snip> ... was called to debate "the situation arising from unilateral U.S. action in Abbottabad." The Pakistanis declared that continuation of the U.S. drone attacks was "unacceptable" and resolved that, "Such drone attacks must stop forthwith, failing which the government will be constrained to consider taking necessary steps including withdrawal of [the] transit facility allowed to NATO."

<snip>

What to do about Pakistan? There may be little we can do, and what little there is we must undertake without delay. To understand why Pakistan is so committed to terrorism requires the observation of one key fact: terrorism is, and has been for decades, the weapon of choice Pakistan uses against India in the dispute over Kashmir. The large, rich province of Kashmir has a Muslim majority and was left in India's hands when the British pulled out in August 1947. The two nations have repeatedly fought conventional wars over Kashmir and two years ago came to the brink of nuclear war.

Unable to wrest Kashmir from India, Pakistan chose terrorism as its strategy to undermine India in Kashmir and force its withdrawal. Pakistan-based terrorists have committed assassinations, airline hijackings and many bombing attacks against Indian targets. When India confronts Pakistan, the latter denies its obvious complicity and refuses to take action against the terror networks it harbors.

<snip>

Last March, India gave the Pakistani government a list of fifty terrorists operating from Pakistan believed to have been involved in attacks, some going back twenty years. Among them reportedly were Dawood Ibrahim (wanted in connection with bombings in Mumbai in 1993), LeT chieftain Hafiz Saeed and LeT commander Azam Cheema as well as Illyas Kashmiri, one of the leaders of the Pakistani Taliban. Pakistan has not, and certainly will not, surrender the men because they are protected by the Pakistani military and/or the ISI. Their value to Pakistan as weapons against India outweighs, in Pakistani terms, the damage Pakistan may suffer from America and other nations for doing so. That judgment is right, because President Obama isn't likely to hold Pakistan accountable.

<snip>

Just as the Pakistani commitment to terrorism results from the Kashmir dispute, so does the long-term solution to it. And here's what some Republican presidential aspirant should say about it.

We have sacrificed too many American lives at the altar of nation-building in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has failed in Iraq, and is failing in Afghanistan. We need to withdraw from both nations as quickly as we can and focus on forcing the nations that sponsor terrorism -- Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia -- to cease doing so.

Pakistan is a natural enemy of the U.S., not a friend. Their cooperation in Afghanistan -- which has been vital to the war in Afghanistan -- comes at too high a price. Pakistan depends on our aid -- now over $3 billion a year -- to keep up the pretense that their government is stable and that they cooperate with us in the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. That aid should be stopped forthwith.

India, Pakistan's blood enemy, is a natural American ally. To deal with Pakistan's terror-sponsorship, we should -- quietly and slowly -- re-engage with India.

They need to know that America understands Pakistan's terror war against them and doesn't object to Indian rule in Kashmir so long as Pakistan's aggression continues. We should ask for permission to covertly base our forces in India to operate against Pakistani terrorism, and for them to join our covert actions against that threat.

<snip>

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/05/1 ... s-pakistan

[Vashishtha]

Lets hope this trial deals a significant blow to MMS's aman ka tamasha.... That is all want from this trial: increasing isolation for MMS and his policies from within the party.

[krisna]

NIA to finalise charges against Rana after US trial

India's main terror probe wing, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), would soon file charges against David Headley and Tahawwur Rana after the latter's trial concludes in a US court for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, sources said Monday.

The court proceedings, which Indian investigators expect could throw more light on the Mumbai attack conspiracy, could come handy for the NIA in finalising its chargesheet against the Headley and Rana, sources said.
Till now, the NIA that is probing the Mumbai mayhem has not filed any chargesheet againt them. The agency has, however, filed a case against Headley and Rana for a criminal conspiracy with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

However, the government is still hopeful that the US may grant access to Rana as the request to question him has been sent under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the two countries, the sources said, adding the NIA was keen on questioning Rana before filing its charges.
The sources also did not rule out the possibility of Rana's extradition to India after the NIA files a chargesheet against him

Headley, who is not on trial as he has entered into a confessional plea bargain with the US, had told Indian investigators in June last year that an ISI officer known as Major Iqbal had given him financial help for scouting identified terror targets in India.
Headley now is a witness against Rana, who helped him in identifying the terror targets in India.

TSP will be get seizures if Rana is extradited to India if at all. another of yyy conspiracy for CTs.
another source of friction between India US relations for sometime to come.

[ramana]

If India develops new evidence apart from Headley's confession then they can seek extradition.

[Patni]

Jury selection begins in terrorism case-Jury selection begins in terrorism case

By Annie Sweeney, Tribune reporter
8:16 p.m. CDT, May 16, 2011

Lawyers for a Chicago businessman charged in connection with a deadly terrorist attack in India in 2008 acknowledged a critical challenge Monday as jury selection in his trial began — picking a fair jury in spite of what they called persistent biases against Muslims in the U.S.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 50, a former doctor from Pakistan, is charged with aiding a friend from childhood who scouted targets in advance of the Mumbai terrorist attack that killed some 170 people, including six U.S. citizens.

Some 100 prospective jurors on Monday filled out detailed written questionnaires seeking their background and views on a variety of subjects. Questioning begins Tuesday in U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber's courtroom. Jury selection — 12 jurors and six alternates will be seated for the expected monthlong trial — is likely to take up most of the week. Opening statements are scheduled to take place Monday.

Questions posed to the jurors in court will try to tease out their feelings about the Islamic faith, asking specifically whether they find any of the doctrines offensive. The written questionnaire also inquires about what religion, if any, prospective jurors practice and whether they have had any experiences with Muslims, Pakistanis or Indians that would cause them to feel any prejudice.

"These types of topics are extremely sensitive," said Charles Swift, Rana's attorney who cited a Gallup poll from last year that showed many Americans acknowledge feeling prejudiced against Muslims, far more than Christians, Jews or Buddhists. "The important part is Dr. Rana gets a jury of his peers — and that means people who can be fair."

Rana is also charged with aiding in a plot to attack a newspaper in Denmark that published unflattering cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that touched off protests in the Muslim world. The attack was never carried out.

Leinenweber has ordered that the identities of jurors remain secret because of the terrorism charges and intense media attention.

Swift said he was encouraged by the panel he saw in the courthouse Monday. "It was a cross section of America," he said. "Out of that, we need to pick jurors who are fair."

On Monday, Leinenweber allowed one prospective juror to attend one of the final tapings of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Tuesday at the United Center. The would-be juror was instructed to return to the courthouse Wednesday. A similar conflict came up during jury selection for the ongoing retrial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges.

[Patni]

[Patni]

Jury selection continues in Rana trial

Over 50 potential jurors were questioned in Chicago in the trial of Tahawwur Rana, the Pakistani-Canadian co-accused in the Mumbai attack case, with more than 20 excused by a judge who examined them on their views about terrorism and Islam.

Out of 53 jurors, 29 were selected after Judge Harry D. Leinenweber cross-questioned the jurors one by one.

As jury selection continued at Mr. Rana’s trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, about 21 jurors were excused because some said outright that they viewed terrorism as a negative thing and could not judge fairly.

Mr. Rana, 50, dressed in a brownish gray suit with grey hair and beard, wearing spectacles, sat with his attorneys Patrick Blegen and Charlie Swift.

Mr. Rana laughed in between the cross-questioning, was in a good mood, and seemed to listen to the jurors intently.

“He (Mr. Rana) has left the acceptability of potential jurors to us,” Mr. Blegen said after the jury questioning.

Twelve jurors and six alternates will be chosen from a total of 100 jurors who will be questioned.

The prosecution has the chance for six peremptory challenges and defence has 10.

“We’re pleased that jurors were truthful and forthcoming,” Mr. Blegen said.

“The jury was a cross-section of the American people, some of whom are mad at the American government,” Mr. Swift said.

The attorneys said that the recent death of Osama bin Laden would not have an impact on the trial.

“We’ll be able to select enough jurors by tomorrow,” Mr. Blegen informed.

The trial is expected to unfold revelations about Pakistan’s ISI and the attorneys said they were looking for fair jurors who would apply fact and logic and leave emotion aside.

Jurors were not scientific or had a hunch but they applied a lot of feelings to their views about Islam and their understanding of terrorism that Judge Leinenweber asked them about.

About 21 jurors were excused because some said outright that they viewed terrorism as a negative thing and could not judge fairly.

[Patni]

26/11: Jury selected for Rana's trial

India Blooms News Service
Chicago, May 19 (IBNS) Jurors have been selected as the Chicago hearings in the 26/11 case began with suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana going on trial after being indicted last week, media reports said on Thursday.
US District Court Judge Harry D Leinenweber questioned 100 jurors on their views on Islam and terrorism and selected 12 as the final jury.

The 12-member jury, with six alternates, consists of four men and eight women. They were sworn in at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

"We are pleased with the composition and proceedings of the jury selection because of the detailed questionnaire and the great selection process," Rana's attorney Patrick Blegen told reporters.

"We got a jury we most believe will give him a fair trial," Blegen said.

Meanwhile, the opening statements will begin on Monday.

Rana’s other attorney Charlie Swift said they are ready for the trial.

"We are preparing opening statements. It is a good case with a fair process. Rana's only rime is to be friends with David Headley," said Swift.

About 100 jurors had filed extensive questionnaires about their backgrounds and topics surrounding the Rana’s trial, where he faces the charge of providing support to former classmate carry out recon for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people including six Americans.

The trial is likely to expose links of the Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with the Mumbai attacks, putting further pressure on the country to expedite its actions against the 26/11 accused currently running free in the south Asian nation.

"We have asked the Pakistani Government to address those allegations in the past," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, saying that the US had formally demanded Pakistan’s response on its alleged involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.

Without giving further details, Toner said: "There's a legal process underway, and anything I say from here can obviously... I think we have been clear, again, that this is an ongoing legal process, trial, and so I can't say a lot about it."

"But speaking globally about the Mumbai attacks, we have asked that all parties answer questions that have been raised by the Mumbai attacks," Toner said.

According to reports, Rana is likely to state that he and co-accused David Headley were recruited on behalf of Pakistani spy services, even though his lawyers last month rubbished the reports and denied any ‘knowing involvement’ in the 26/11.

A report in The Globe and Mail newspaper had first claimed that both Rana and his friend Headley will say that they believed themselves to be working for both the Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terrorist group, and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s spy agency.

The US government on May 9 filed a second chargesheet in a Chicago court in the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai naming five people as accused in the case of "conspiracy to maim, murder and bomb places of public use in India".

The chargesheet filed in the US court named the five accused as: Sajid Majeed, Abu Qahafa, Mazhar Iqbal, Major Iqbal and a Lashkar-e-Toiba member known as D.

The accused were named in the Tahawwur Rana case. Rana is a Pakistani Canadian and like Pakistani American David Coleman Headley is involved in the Mumbai attack who was indicted along with several other suspects.

All accused were charged, last week in the district court in Chicago, though none of them is in custody of the US government.

US paper Chicago Tribune said Tahawwur Hussain Rana is alleged to have provided a cover for the scout (Headley) "who checked out locations for the deadly rampage and acted as a messenger for the Pakistani terrorist group allegedly behind the 2008 attack."

In the worst terrorist attacks in India, Pakistani-trained gunmen laid siege on Mumbai since November 26, 2008, killing over 160 people, including foreigners, in attacks on a railway station, luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, among other targets.

Rana, who was arrested along with Headley by the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Illinois, is accused of providing terrorists with the false credentials they used to pick targets in Mumbai.

[Patni]

Editorial: Canada must watch Tahawwur Rana's terror trial

It is being called by the American media the "most important terrorism trial ever to be held in the United States," and it involves a Pakistani-Canadian.

Yet, above the 49th parallel, this trial in Chicago gets scant mention.

We can only hope our Canadian Security Intelligence Service is paying attention.

If not, they'd better book a seat in the courtroom. This is ramping up to be an international game changer.

If the hype holds true, potential evidence at the trial of 50-year-old Canadian businessman, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, could end up destroying whatever remains in the fragile relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan.

What U.S. officials want to know, as should CSIS, is whether factions of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency, overtly suspected of harbouring Osama bin Laden for a decade, had any role in Rana's alleged operation.

Rana, who purportedly ran an immigration consulting business in Toronto, New York and Chicago, and who had a family home in our nation's capital, headquarters of our own spy agency, stands accused of providing the financial and logistical backing for the 2008 Mumbai bombing which killed 160 people, including six Americans.

So he is no small catch. The situation is so delicate, in fact, that potential jurors this week were given a questionnaire by the court consisting of 60 questions, mostly about their views on Islam.

When the Toronto 18 terrorism trial happened here, no such weeding was needed. But not so in Chicago.

The reason? Because "80% of Americans distrust Islam," said Charlie Swift, one of Rana's lawyers. To which his other lawyer, Patrick Blegen added, "People hailing from India, Denmark and Pakistan would most likely be disqualified." So there goes a great swath of the jury pool.

Rana, in setting the stage, is charged with helping his childhood friend, David Headley, who has pleaded guilty, to scout the targets which led to the Mumbai carnage.

No doubt the courtroom will be packed the day Headley testifies against his old friend. He has already claimed to authorities that the groundwork for Mumbai attack was financed with $25,000 provided by Pakistan's spy agency.

So the plot could not be any thicker.

Nor the trial more timely.

[ramana]

X-Post by Anujan.....
Fellows this is IMPORTANT. Two reporters are live tweeting the Rana trial from Chicago. If you have twitter accounts, please follow them:

https://twitter.com/#!/Colinfreeze
https://twitter.com/#!/natashakorecki
This is from Colin Freeze, read the other lady's tweets in her twitter page

About 50 reporters assembled for Chicago court media briefing prior to the opening today's #Rana trial.

Finally inside #Ranatrial in Chicago. Tight security. US Marshals briefed media re:protocol. Things will happen soon ...

Rana enters nodding at family, some in hijabs. He's much thinner, his hair whiter than I recall seeing him, in court 1+ year ago. #Ranatrial

Jury enters. Multicultural cross-section of working class Chicago. How will lawyers argue the murky, twisty Mumbai plot to them? #Ranatrial

Prosecutors make it simple. This is a case about two terrorist plots. One that succeeded (Mumbai) on that failed (Denmark). #Ranatrial

Prosecutor to jurors: "You'll hear from David Headley... He's gonna give a rare insider's account of planning these atrocious attacks."

Prosecutor: Tahawwur Rana was David Headley's "best friend in the world." (@ProPublica reports today DH gave TR big big loan.) #Ranatrial

USDOJ tells jurors of key figure: Major Iqbal (MI). "Headley understood MI to be an officer in Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate..."

USDOJ: ISI's Major Iqbal and terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba trained Headley tasked him with Mumbai recce of Taj/ trains harbour etc #Ranatrial

USDOJ: Rana was warned to stay away from Mumbai.Afterward, he was heard saying dead gunmen "should get Pakistan's highest military honour."

USDOJ: Pakistan's Consul General in Chicago was a "classmate" of Rana/Headley. They duped him to get visas.

USDOJ: When Lashkar wouldn't fund Denmark plot, Rana/Headley turned to al-Qaeda aligned Ilyas Kashmiri. #Ranatrial

Awaiting Rana's defence. USDOJ concluded with "not every player carries a weapon." Terrorist supporters "equally as critical." #RanaTrial

Defence begins: "David Headley is a master manipulator who made a fool of Doctor Rana." #Ranatrial

Defence:"Headley was living multiple lives with multiple people and he was very good at it." #Ranatrial (3 wives & wrking 4 ISI/LeT/USDEA!!)

Defence: Rana was a model student at Pakistan Military boarding school. Classmate Headley flunked out. #Ranatrial

Defence: Best buds. Rana put his house when Headley got busted for smuggling heroin in 1990s.Headley later loaned Rana $100,000. #Ranatrial

Rana's bio: Star Student. Pak Army doctor. Served in first Gulf War w/ coalition. Gets altitude sick when assigned to mountains. #Ranatrial

... Rana goes to Germany to heal, goes AWOL. Immigrates to Canada. Moves to Chicago to start businesses. #Ranatrial

Jurors look shellshocked. Trying to absorb twisty roles of Rana/Headley/Iqbal/Kasmiri/LeT/ISI/USDEA/Pasha/Mumbai/Denmark/etc. #Ranatrial

Defence opening is over. First witness -- likely David Headley -- expected after a break. #Ranatrial

David Headley takes a seat in the witness box and exchanges a meaningful look with his former best friend ... #Ranatrial

Headley doesn't faintly resemble a South Asian. Only vaguest traces of an accent speak to his Pakistani heritage.

Headley-Rana shared quarters in Pakistani miltary boarding school. Students used to talk about India/Indians there... #Ranatrial

Headley: "I disliked them (Indians). Dismembered Pakistan. ... My junior school was bombed (in 71 war)" etc. #Ranatrial

Headley lived in Lahore in 2000 when he first made contact with Lashkar-e-Taiba. "I went to a meeting. I listened to speeches." #Ranatrial

LeT head gave a speech at a house with 200+ people. "He said one second spend conducting jihad was superior to 100 years praying."#Ranatrial

Headley says LeT wages jihad to avenge civilian deaths and to force India to comply with UN resolutions re: Kashmir. #Ranatrial

Why does LeT wage Jihad? "They felt it was an obligation," Headley says. All LeT members are Salafis, he says.#Ranatrial.

Headley graduated through a series of training camps. First, Koranic studies. Then small arms training. AK47s etcs. ...#Ranatrial

Headley then learned spy and commando techniques. Deap drops. Safehouses. Hostage rescue. Breaching. Etc. #Ranatrial

Headley wanted to fight Indians in Kashmir but "I was told they (LET) would find something better and more suitable for me." #Ranatrial

By 2003 Headley attended LeT lunches with LeT Leader Hafez Saeed and operations commander "Zeki"... #Ranatrial

Headley suggested LeT sue US govt for designating it a terror org. LeT leaders Zeki said "he would have to consult with ISI..." #Ranatrial

"These groups operate under the umbrella of the ISI ... They coordinate with each other.": Headley #Ranatrial

"Pasha" -- Headley accomplice -- was a Pakistani Major retired early after he refused to seal off the Tora Bora border in 02 (!) #Ranatrial

Headley was arrested near Peshawar in 2005. "I said I was Pakistani they didn't believe me. They thought I was a foreigner." #Ranatrial

An ISI figure sprung Headley, and put him in touch with "Major Iqbal" (alleged co-conspirator) for the first time. #Ranatrial

Lunch break! (Phew. Hello to all my hundreds of new friends in India.)

[shaardula]

Anujan thanks for the lead. we should post in parts....
https://twitter.com/#!/Colinfreeze

Colin Freeze
Eyewitness: As trial begins, Canadian recalls surviving 2008 Mumbai Massacre tgam.ca/C1qo /via @globeandmail @colinfreeze
1 hour ago

Back reporting on trial now. Sorry had too file.
20 minutes ago

Headley says he came up with immigration-office front but ISI's "Major Iqbal" gave the plan his blessing. #Ranatrial
18 minutes ago

"He thought it was very suitable for the work he wanted me to do," said Headley. He told LET handlers he was now with ISI too #Ranatrial
16 minutes ago

Headley says ISI's Maj. Iqbal tasked him to set up in Mubai and befriend influential people "who live in military facilities." #Ranatrial
14 minutes ago

Headley and Maj. Iqbal conspired to radicalize Rana. Gave him Salafi teachings, Jihad tapes, to enlist his help, Headley says. #Ranatrial
12 minutes ago

Rana was not initially OK with attacks on non-combattants, Headley testifies. Rana said Koran precludes such attacks. #Ranatrial
10 minutes ago

Headley's LeT handlers told him to "prostrate lightly" during prayers lest he get a mihrab (forehead scar) and blow his cover. #Ranatrial
8 minutes ago

This is key Headley testimony about Rana. The whole trial turns on this ... #Ranatrial ...
7 minutes ago

Setting up Mumbai firm"I explained to him I had been drafted, as it were, by the ISI, ... But I still had contacts with Lashkar." #Ranatrial
5 minutes ago

"I asked if he would allow us to use his office as a front ... He agreed." #Ranatrial
4 minutes ago

"I was instructed too take general video of the city (Mumbai) .... I took many many hours.". Headley now being shown pix of Taj. #Ranatrial
3 minutes ago

"An immigration consultant is a person of great influence in India," Headley says. Before recce mission he was 2 cozy up 2 important people.
46 seconds ago

In 06 Headley tells Rana of ISI $ backing. "I told him that Major Iqbal would be providing me with $25,000...." #Ranatrial
12 minutes ago

Headley rented Mumbai apt. from an elderly couple. Presented himself as "South Asian Regional Director" for Chicago consultancy. #Ranatrial
10 minutes ago

What happened when clients turned up at the Mumbai consultancy? "I sometimes spoke to them myself. ... #Ranatrial.
4 minutes ago

"... I sometimes arranged conference calls with Dr. Rana ... I would see if it was worthwhile." #Ranatrial
3 minutes ago

Rana was financially beholden to Headley at time of the conspiracy. Owed him up to $50,000 at the time from a 2001 era debt. #Ranatrial
3 minutes ago

[VikramS]

@gauravcsawant
GAURAV C. SAWANT
Def lawyer: terrorists planned Mumbai attack in August 2008. Their boat hit a rock & sank. Life jackets saved them. 2nd attempt failed too

[Prasad]

@Colinfreeze

March 08. Headley meets his LET handlers again. This time there is "a navy frogman" with them. "They were looking at sea charts." #Ranatrial

If that isn't direct state involvement, I don't know what is!

[pgbhat]

^Easy.

"Navy Frogman" was acting in his individual capacity.

[ramana]

He was a rogue element belonging to Jihadi Group 9 elements..


Seriously the frogman etc shows there was a hijacking of the ship MVS Kuber by a frogman team from PN sub or entitiy and then the ship was boarded by the terrorist squad an don to Mumbai..

[goutham]

Video of Rana's wife talking about Headley.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1943064053

[Gus]

what time does the trial start today?

[Amber G.]

Just wondering any one in Chicago attending the trial. If possible, one should.

[ramana]

Vicky Nanjappa in ReDiff blog:

http://vickynanjapa.wordpress.com/2011/ ... t-is-next/

India sure is happy with the statements made by David Headley, but the task ahead for Indian interrogators is not an easy one. There are various names, Major Iqbal, Samir Ali, Sajid Mir and the likes who have come up repeatedly during the trial of David Headley and these names will be prominent in the days to come.

These are just names as of today and we have heard them from the likes of Headley and Rana. Indian agencies have always maintained that they had no expectations from Pakistan where information of these persons were concerned. The case of Sajid Mir is a typical example. Post 26/11 a person was picked up and arrested in Pakistan only to be later let off on the pretext that they had caught the wrong man. The events relating to Mir are very interesting since it goes on to show that this entire exercise was stage managed in order to give the real Sajid Mir a cover to get out of the radar which today he has successfully managed to do. Today Pakistan maintains that the only Sajid Mir who exists in Pakistan is a cleric and has nothing to do anything even remotely to do with the ISI and the army.

Sources here said that there are lengthy documents and testimonies relating to Mir, but the identity will never be known unless and until Pakistan themselves decide to chip in with their bit of information. With this trial underway, the pressure on the Pakistan’s ISI is expected to increase, but the world can be rest assured that the real persons will never come to the forefront. Take all the names that have been mentioned above. These are very important personnel in the establishment and not some ordinary gun men or operatives of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. Major Iqbal and Samir Ali have been associated both the Pakistan army and the ISI for nearly a decade. They specialise with logistics and provide training to cadres. Sajid Mir too is no ordinary operative and he has been closely associated with both the army and the ISI and has carried out many operations. This is an indication that these men belong to the system and they are able to get their work done only because they belong to the system. Unlike operatives who have to go through the members of the establishment, these men had direct access to whatever they needed to carry out the operation. The Indian intelligence had pointed out that a person like Mir was such a favourite in the system that he was just told to do a job and hardly any questions were asked. So impressed were they with him that they put him in charge of handling foreign operatives and that is how he came in touch with Headley in the first place.

Although Rana and Headley may take their names a couple of times more during the trial, the exercise to bring them to book would be next to impossible. Pakistan would do everything under the sun to ensure that these men do not get into the hands of any investigating agency. Putting them in front is as good as declaring that the ISI is a terrorist outfit.

However Pakistan would be under immense pressure to keep these names away. The first demand that would be made is for the voice samples. More than the United states of America, it is more important for India to have these voice samples since the chargesheet has to have a mention of the role played by these men and in order to establish the link these samples are very much needed.

Indian officials say that at best what Pakistan would do is buy time and wait for the matter to fizzle out. They had said that they would carry out their own investigation, but till date have not put behind the bars any of the big wigs. Moreover they have also not lived up to the commitment of providing India with the voice samples.

Basically the indications are clear that the ongoing Rana trial and the ISI link at the end would only become an embarrassing exercise for the ISI, but in reality they would continue to safeguard these key men. However Indian agencies say that they will go about their job and do their bit of interrogating Rana and also filing a chargesheet.

[Mahendra]

http://www.scribd.com/doc/56138332/Mail-Headley

Headley's emails

[Cosmo_R]

Have a question.

If what what we have always believed (ISI sponsored 26/11) is borne out in the trial and Rana and then the Holtzberg Brooklyn suit feeds off it, what are GoI's options?

Maybe this is OT in this thread but I'd be grateful if we could cross link it to a thread that deals with this issue. What if anything can/should GoI do?

[ramana]

Good question. Right now not much but wait to see how it develops.The Rana trial etc are all US based actions. Let them continue. If you note what is really important to India is not coming out. Dont ask me what it is!

In reaction TSP may give an opportunity. The need is to contain the fallout and proceed accordingly.

[Raja Bose]

Day 2

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
USDOJ pic of Sajid Mir, Mumbai Massacre mastermind who ran David Headley and instructed 26/11 gunmen in real time. http://1.usa.gov/mxKK1Q
51 minutes ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
USDOJ pic of Mumbai Massacre conspirator "Pasha"-- retired Pak Army official who joined Lashkar-e-Taiba. #Ranatrial http://1.usa.gov/iAoFK3
53 minutes ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
USDOJ pic of Mumbai Massacre conspirator "Pasha" -- retired Pak Army official who joined Lashkar-e-Taiba. #Ranatrial
56 minutes ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@ @AshikOnFire ...Elaborate multiyear conspiracies in taking place in US/Pak/India/Denmark all at once. #Ranatrial
1 hour ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@ @AshikOnFire Judge appears to be nodding off at times and the jury appears confused. ... I mean just imagine trying to take all this in.
1 hour ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
U.S. court hears fresh detail about Mumbai-massacre targets http://t.co/Tnu4phu /via @globeandmail
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Trial has concluded for today. Lost quite a few tweets at the end there into the ether. But hope you got the jist.
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
A Maj. Samir Ali emails Headley a few weeks later tooo confirm Pasha's release. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley goes back to Chicago and says he brings Tahawwur Rana up to speed on all emerging plots. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Kashmiri envisions gunmen shooting newspaper hostages dead and throwing their heads out of the window. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Kashmiri: "Danish response forces would not be as incompetent or as timid as the Indians." Warned siege would be short lived. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Kashmiri tells Headley an AQ team "coming out of England" being assembled. Gives 80000 rupees. Would be fight to the death. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
In May 09 LET is out of the MMP Denmark plot and AQ is in. Headley goes to Waziristan to meet Ilyas Kashmiri. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
The Mumbai Massacre gunmen in Jewish centre needed coaching from LET higherups to kill hostages. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"After approaching from behind place the barrel on the back of their head and fire" SAJID said. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley testifies LET felt Jewish women were fair game -- Israel drafts women. #Ranatrial
2 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Thanks to everyone who dug out the jihadi dreams story. Recurring theme in terrorism plots.
3 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Court recessed for 15 minutes.
3 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley doesn't feel too good abot returning to India. Envisions death and incapacitation. writes his best bud Rana with his last will...
3 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Envisions another run at Chabbad House with Headley doing recce. Attack would draw in more Indian brigadiers to be killed than in 4 wars.
3 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Ok, catching up: LET felt there was already too much heat to back a Denmark ooperation. Headley directed to go to Waziristan. #Ranatrial
3 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Test
3 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
In early 09 Headley went to Denmark for initial surveillance of newspaper for his MMP.
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(Be great here if someone could post link to Stu Bell's recent National Post story on significance of dreams for Qaeda types.) #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley had a dream about the Prophet Mohammed standing beside an open grave. Asked handlers if it was "auspicious" for MMP. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@ @saeedshah Inaccurate. Headley hasn't been sentenced yet but he'll likely be locked up for life. USDOJ has just agreed not too execute him.
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley needed all First World Immigration branches to backstop his story he was a consultant. Got Rana to print business cards. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Chicago consultancy had branches in Toronto/New York. "I asked the New Yoork and Toronto office to remember me," Headley says. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Looped in on MMP in Denmark, Rana said "discussion on this matter had been overdue." #Ranatrial "No coverage, no attack, nothing."
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"Dr. Rana said India deserved it." #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Rana tried to "comfort me, calm me down" after Mumbai. Told him what prayers to say, etc. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Few weeks after Mumbai, Headley was in Chicago filling Rana in on MMP.Same modus operandi:false flag immigration firm for recce. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(Thought:Illinois has just dropped the death penalty.Consequently I wonder if Headley would have sung for the FBI if he was arrested today?)
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@ @romeokardong No. Different Pasha. This one left Pak Army for Lashkar in 2002.
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Q. Why did you call it the Mickey Mouse Project. Headley: "It was about a cartoon...." #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"@TheAtlanticWire: The DOJ has subpoenaed @NYTimes reporter James Risen to reveal a CIA source: http://theatln.tc/iFenFT" #notranatrialbut!!
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Pasha offered to introduce H totribal area types "who had connections with al-Qaeda." Namely Said al-Masri (sp?) & I. Kashmiri. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
However H's friend Pasha (ret'd army general) warned "Lashkar guys have a habit of making plans and backing off of them." #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
In Nov. 2009 LET gave Headley thumbdrive with JPGs of Denmark cartooonist Westergaard (sp?) and paper's cultural editor. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
We're onto the "MMP" -- Mickey Mouse plot to kill Denmak cartooonist " -- which is less intriguing than Mumbai plot.#Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Back in trial. US marshalls have directed me to sit in courtroom corner with worst mobile-phone reception. #Ranatrial
4 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@ @Indus_v Yes . Headley said he and LET brass believed SS too be "terrorists."
5 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Also, Headley was given ****a thumbdrive** of files relating to copenhagen by LET. Dropped the word in earlier Tweet.
5 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"Casus belli" = latin term for justification for acts of war. My term, not Headley's, FYI.
5 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(Am mostly caught up now. Taking break. More after Lunch.... Sorry for the Bberry malfunction. Reception problem, nothing more.) #Ranatrial
5 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
This was the kickoff of what Headley's "Mickey Mouse Project" A plan targetting the Denmark newspaper that mocked Mohammed. #Ranatrial
5 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
But the terror plots never stopped. 17 days BEFORE 26/11 LET's Mir gave Headley with a lot of general files on Copenhagen... #Ranatrial
5 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
LET's Mir said the one caught gunmen had "disobeyed orders" to stay at target and work in tandem resulting in his capture. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Cops showed up at Headley's cousin's house in Philly, urging DH check in with a US consulate. LET wanted to know if Rana solid. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
In post-mortem with LET, H learned terror group was surprised by the reaction. Indians, US asking lots of questions re: Lashkar. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley says 26/11 operation was a relief on some level.Was afraid Indian *or Pakistani * govts might get wind of plot, stop it. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Think Headley said his casus beli was his primary school getting bombed by India when he was a kid. (Not 100%) #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley felt that he "got even" with India through Mumbai massacre. Pak as a whole wasn't, but he was. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"I asked Pasha (ret'd army) to advise Dr. Rana not to go to India. So he wouldn't get caught in some...situation," says Headley. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley used intermediaries to tell best friend Rana not to come to Mumbai in Nov 08. #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"... And fight to the death." #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Oct. 08 Headley told LET has decided on suicide mission. "Stronghold option is where attackers lockthemselves in a building..." #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
My Twitter was down for past 40 min. Where was I ? #Ranatrial
6 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
There was a three person meeting in October between Headley, LET's Sajid Mir and ISI's Major Iqbal. #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
It was September 08 when Lashkar-e-Taiba settles on "stronghold option." #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Summer 08: Headley, exfiltrating from India, returns to Pakistan for more briefings with Iqbal/Mir. #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
ISI Major Iqbal "was upset the Bombay Airport was not included on the list" Headley testifies. #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Mumbai's Central Train station was on the initial list, but oonly as a exit point for the shooters Headley testifies. #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Also listed were the Taj, a Naval airstation, and a Shiv Sena temple (Siddibinayak, I think.) #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
LET Sajid Mir gave Headley the list. "He add the Chabbad House." (Sp? Blanking)
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Major Iqbal "didn't give me the list. He told me the Chabbad House (sp?) would be added ... b/c it was a front for the Mossad." #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
In mid 2008 Headley is back in Pakistan meeting ISI Maj. Iqbal and LeT's Sajid Mir. Separate meetings. #Ranatrial
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Trial is back and back on track ... Headley talking targets now.
7 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(Maybe someone in India could explain why Pak agents' alleged infiltration of Shiv Sena matters in big scheme of things? #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley says there was no plot to harm SS's Raja Rege. "That would be equivalent to killing the goose that laid the golden egg." #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(Court is really on a tangent here. All this talk about agents of influence reminds me of controversy we had in Canada last year #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley emailed RR to say the biz partnership could get SS "guaranteed large audiences" if they brought speakers to NY/Chicago. #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
DH testifies ISI told him RR/SS ties good 4 "strengthening our cover" & "thru him I could make contact with military personnel" #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
RR thought he was being brought into Chicago firm as investor. Headley says ISI told him to court RR for 2 reasons... #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"Please figure out how we can use this Raja Rege guy" Email DH sent to Pak's Iqbal, and Chicago's Rana. (I may not have quote 100%)
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Jist of testimony is DH was seeking guidance from Iqbal (ISI) and Pasha (Army) on dealing w/Shiv Sana. Fwd'd RR's emails 2 them. #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley often fuzzy on specific details re his conversations with Major Iqbal, said to be serving ISI
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"I told (Rana) I thought the plan was going to move ahead ... People were going to come from Pakistan... Lasker fighters." #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
March 2008 Chicago. Rana-Headley talk. "I told him that I had been asked too look at landing sites around Mumbai...." #Ranatrial
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
H stands at attention at attention like a soldier when judge comes in. Muscular man. Rana skinny, in a rumbled suit.
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(My 'o' key is sticking forgive the typos)
8 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley Rana back in coourt
9 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
#Ranatrial Day 2 is about to begin...
9 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@KaareSorensen US Marshalls said discrete texting ok.
9 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
@ @KaareSorensen Blackberry.
9 hours ago »

DilliDurAst Shivam Vij
by Colinfreeze
MUSTREAD: 100 tweets by @ColinFreeze from the Headley-Rana Trial Courtroom: http://bit.ly/kQZsOL Shame on you, I-ASS-I
10 hours ago »
Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(PS -- it is very busy in court, so I am not responding to many messages/requests for interviews from overseas outlets,at this time. Sorry.)
9 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Getting ready for #Ranatrial Day 2. Hoping to hear Headley talk about what he was doing on 26/11. .... Starts in 1 hour.
10 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Thanks to @alifdaru: for reassembling #Ranatrial tweets chronologically. Keep it up! http://bit.ly/kQZsOL"
18 hours ago »

alifdaru Fahd Ali
by Colinfreeze
Dr. Tuhawwar Rana's trial (day one) as tweeted by @colinfreeze and blogger-ed by yours truly. Must read! http://bit.ly/kQZsOL
18 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
#Ranatrial Day 1: " The Mumbai-massacre masterminds told David Headley to go easy with the praying... http://tgam.ca/C1uF
20 hours ago »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
And thank you to my new followers in Pakistan too!
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
(1000 new followers today. Amazing. Thank you India! )
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
That's it for the trial today. I'll be back tomorrow at 930 am Chicago time.
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Making any such aggression illegal. Headley says the nuke plant recce was pure surveillance not foor any attack.
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley says he told Rana he had been tasked to visit nuke plant once. Rana is said to have replied there's an IndoPak treaty ... #Ranatrial
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Trial closes with an interesting bit about nuke plant recce. I find this interesting b/c FBI was interested in Rana's interest I nukes ...
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley says he told Rana that LET's e-foot styrofoam moockup of the Taj was a "terrible" mockup. Rana laughed. Allegedly. #Ranatrial
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"I told (Rana) I discussed these things with Major Iqbal, whatever I had done in India." #Ranatrial
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
In spring 08 Headley says he gave Rana lowdown on Mumbai plan. "That seems to a shift from the original plan" R. "Yes it was," H #Ranatrial
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
The plotters disagreed about whether they should stash weapons in Mumbai. Some saw attacks as a one-off, others as a vanguard. #Ranatrial
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
Headley seems to be a man without any emotion or contrition. Very calm factual and terse . "I recommended bringing ordinance," etc.
23 May »

Colinfreeze Colin Freeze
"All calls between Pakistan and the United States all -- most -- of them are monitored Headley says. #Ranatrial (End run around FISA/NSA?!)
23 May

[ramana]

I thnk Mumbai Police can go after this Rajaram Rege for keeping contace with a terrorist and not coming clean after the involvement in 26/11 was publicised.