Pakistan reorders detention of alleged mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks News
Pakistan reorders detention of alleged mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks

[JURIST] Pakistan authorities on Saturday reordered the detention of Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi, the main suspect in the 2008 attacks in Mumbai [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive], one day after a court in Pakistan ordered his release. Lakhvi is one of seven suspects being tried in Pakistan with connection to the attacks, which killed 166 people and damaged relations between India and Pakistan. The decision to cancel Lakhvi’s detention [OneIndia News report] order drew criticism from India [AP report]. India has persistently urged Pakistan to prosecute Lakhvi, who is suspected of planning the attacks. Lakhvi has been in custody since 2009.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned [JURIST report] the release of Lakhvi in January. Lakhvi was granted bail in early December but the government immediately imposed a three-month detention order to keep him in prison. However, Lakhvi appealed this order and was released in late December. Hours after his release, Lakhvi was in police custody [JURIST report] again for an alleged kidnapping. The latest detention of Lakhvi comes after his January 12 hearing. In 2012, India executed the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Mohammad Ajmal Kasab [WSJ backgrounder; JURIST news archive]. In August 2009 India sentenced three terrorists to death for their part in similar attacks in 2003 [JURIST report].