Mumbai gunman says he should be tried by international court, wants to meet Pakistan officials

Mumbai gunman demands trial by international court

MUMBAI, India — The alleged gunman in the 2008 bloody siege of Mumbai said Monday he should be tried by an international court because he does not expect justice in India.

Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, 21, told a special court that police had falsely implicated him in the case.

“I should be tried in an international court,” he told Judge M.L. Tahiliyani.

Ten gunmen rampaged through India’s commercial capital Mumbai in a commando-style attack on two luxury hotels, a busy train station and a Jewish center in November 2008. The three-day siege left 166 people dead, and nine of the gunmen were killed.

Last month, Kasab retracted his confession that he sprayed gunfire into a crowd at the railroad station. He also said police tortured him into admitting having a role in the attacks.

Kasab also said Monday he wanted to call witnesses from Pakistan for his defense, and that he should be allowed to meet Pakistani officials. Witnesses would include a passport officer, he said, without providing other details.

The judge asked him to file a petition through his attorney.

Kasab could face the death penalty if convicted. Murder and conspiracy to wage war against India are among the charges he faces.

Kasab told the judge he came to Mumbai as a tourist and was arrested 20 days before the siege began.

On the day the attacks started, Kasab said police took him from his cell because he resembled one of the gunmen. They then shot him to make it look as if he had been involved in the attacks and re-arrested him, Kasab said.