Reports: Pakistan May Trade Jailed US Consulate Worker for Scientist
Clashes Within Pakistani Govt Over Davis' 'Immunity'
Disputes over the legal status of US consulate employee Raymond Davis look to be splintering Pakistan’s ruling Pakistani Peoples Party (PPP) today, as PPP Central Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab claimed Davis enjoyed diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention. This sparked angry condemnations amongst opposition figures, and eventually a rejection from the president’s office, which said it was her “personal opinion.”
The matter is a difficult one legally, because Davis was working at the consulate in Lahore at the time of his arrest, and would not enjoy such immunity under those circumstances, but the US insists he is also an employee of the embassy in Islamabad, which would make him entitled to immunity.
Davis is facing double murder charges, and despite his initial claims of “self defense” Lahore police reported that not only did he shoot both of his victims in the back, but that he jumped out of his car and chased one of them down the street to finish him off as he was fleeing, having been shot off his motorcycle.
But just when we thought the situation couldn’t get any more complicated, a number of outlets are reporting that Pakistan is considering “trading” Davis back to the United States in return for Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist who was sentenced to 86 years in prison for “trying to kill her American interrogators.” Siddiqui’s imprisonment has been a sore spot amongst Pakistanis, and might be one of the few things which would overcome anger about the Davis killings and the US demands that he be released unconditionally.
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Karla
February 14th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
"Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!"
Sir Walter Scott
karlof1
February 14th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
There is no "difficulty" with the murderer's status as the treaty specificly says immunity does NOT cover high crimes such as murder. For some reason, this information wasn't published the first time I made this same comment to a different antiwar.com artilce's comments. The US Empire knows full well its agent doesn't have immunity, yet it continues to lie. Why don't you call the Empire out on its constant lying in this affair?
Brian
February 15th, 2011 at 1:02 am
.
Haqqani Network has talked about swapping Dr. Siddiqui for American POW SPC Bowe Bergdahl.
I would much rather see the release of an American soldier purchased with her release than the release of a trigger-happy Mercenary.
.
ghouri
February 15th, 2011 at 2:57 am
This will be a bad deal as Dr. Afia siddiqui is innocent and kidnaped from karachi because she was related to shaikh Khalid so called planner of 9/11 one after anotherlies by america.
The man has shooted to death three pakistanis as Afia was charged trying to kill american. This is american justice a super power with natorious justice system.
keith
February 15th, 2011 at 4:23 am
I say it's a fair trade considering the circumstances.
Allah will punish Mr. Davis for the killing of two
Innocent human beings.
Dr.Khan
February 15th, 2011 at 8:38 am
We do not want Afia Back neither Davis will be handed over to USA…Period.
If by any chance Pakistan Govt does think somewhere in the back of their mind..let me assure them that should be packing too with Davis.If USA still believe Pakistan their inherited Playground then bring it on.All the ruler cronies of the west should open their eyes to whats happening in the the Muslim world and more over USA should too realise their days of Imperialism is counted anyway.
Respect and be Respected…
thedissenter
February 15th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Ultimately, it should be whatever is best for the people of Pakistan. However, I would so love to see the bastard face justice. Who knows? With a little of pressure and some TLC a la Gitmo, he may spill the beans and expose some real juicy stuff to make some of the shills (hopefully Shillary?) pee in their pants. And, of course, there's nothing wrong with torture, after all, Bush endorsed it himself and keeps singing the tune, therefore, the US has made it official and legal. Waterboard the hell out of the shill till he sings like a bird.
thedissenter
February 15th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Sorry to say but 'American soldier' is the sheer definition of trigger-happy mercenary.
thedissenter
February 15th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
It would be great to find out what he's hiding. A little Gitmo treatment may go a long way here.
camus10
February 15th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
who gets sentenced for robotic drone murders, or do indiscriminate drone attacks not attract diplomatic attention.
Is the Pak public lividly pushing for one Davis to be sentenced to avenge drone attacks, that is not right either
Dr.Khan
February 16th, 2011 at 5:42 am
No worries,for Drones attack we know who will get and serve them with justice..The king of this evil is sitting in the evilist Ex-empire GB.we call him Busharraf,and next to him is the present govt equally culprit in this henious crime.Soon the Public will give them what they Deserve.wait and watch.