Chile judge frees Pakistani arrested at US Embassy

[Marxist]

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- His defense attorney says a Pakistani man detained with suspicious chemical residues at the U.S. Embassy in Chile could have picked them up anywhere in a big polluted city.

The man was released after a court appearance, ordered to stay in Chile and check in with authorities once a week. Prosecutors have three more months to develop their case.

He's been charged with possessing explosives but his defense attorney says the judge declined to charge the suspect with associating with terrorists for lack of evidence.

The suspect had been called in to the embassy to be informed that his U.S. visa was revoked because he had been added to a terrorism watch list.

A summary of the closed hearing on the judiciary's website says explosive chemical residue was found on his clothes and other possessions.

KGAN CBS 2 :: International News

 

[Marxist]

Chile charges, frees Pakistani in U.S. embassy case

* Pakistani indicted under illegal weapons law, not terror

* Detainee says U.S. trying to cover up shame over Iraq

* Freed but cannot leave Chile pending investigation (Updates with man freed, prosecutor quote)

SANTIAGO, May 15 (Reuters) - A Pakistani man arrested at the U.S. Embassy in Chile after triggering an explosive detector was charged on Saturday with illegal possession of explosives, but was freed pending a probe.

The man, identified by the U.S. State Department as 28-year-old Muhammad Saif-ur-Rehman Khan, was taken into custody at the embassy on Monday and held in a maximum security prison under an anti-terror law. [ID:nN11238425].

He must sign in once a week with authorities and may not leave the country while the case is investigated, court officials said.

Police said traces of the explosive Tetryl were found on Khan's documents and mobile telephone. Tetryl is a compound used as a booster to help detonate explosive charges.

"He was basically (charged) for an infraction of the law on firearms and explosives," state prosecutor Xavier Armendariz told reporters after the hearing. "The investigation is open and continues."

A senior State Department official said on Tuesday that Khan, a student who had been in Chile for four months, was invited to the embassy so officials could notify him that his visa for the United States was being revoked.

The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was not aware of any link between Khan and the Pakistani-American accused of trying to bomb New York's Times Square on May 1. [ID:nN11126077]

Khan has denied any wrongdoing and instead criticized the United States.

"I have nothing to do with bombs. I have nothing to do with terrorists. I don't have a beard," Khan told reporters on Tuesday evening. "They (the United States) just want to cover up their shame and guilt for what they have done or are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan."

 

[mehru]

self-delete

 

[Mogambo]

Chile charges Pakistani with bomb possession

(AP) – 9 hours ago

SANTIAGO, Chile — A Pakistani man found with suspicious chemical residues inside the U.S. Embassy in Chile has been charged with possessing explosives.

A magistrate is formally charging Mohammad Saif Ur Rehman Khan but set him free from a high-security prison. Khan must stay in Chile and check in with authorities once a week. Prosecutors have three more months to develop their case.

Defense attorney Gabriel Carrion says the judge declined to charge Khan with associating with terrorists for lack of evidence and that his client is innocent.

The charges were announced on Saturday.

The Associated Press: Chile charges Pakistani with bomb possession

 

[amigos]

Chile charges Pakistani with bomb possession

(AP) – 9 hours ago

SANTIAGO, Chile — A Pakistani man found with suspicious chemical residues inside the U.S. Embassy in Chile has been charged with possessing explosives.

A magistrate is formally charging Mohammad Saif Ur Rehman Khan but set him free from a high-security prison. Khan must stay in Chile and check in with authorities once a week. Prosecutors have three more months to develop their case.

Defense attorney Gabriel Carrion says the judge declined to charge Khan with associating with terrorists for lack of evidence and that his client is innocent.

The charges were announced on Saturday.

The Associated Press: Chile charges Pakistani with bomb possession

A very inaccurate title. He had nothing to do with bombs. Media bias against Muslims and Pakistanis at its peak!

Learn about what really happened at the blog set up by his friends and family: Saif is innocent! — Saif es inocente !!

So you think associated press does not write inaccurately? Think again.