Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD290
2008-01-18 12:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
POLICE FIRED FOR NEGLIGENCE IN RAUF CASE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 000290
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: POLICE FIRED FOR NEGLIGENCE IN RAUF CASE
Classified By: CDA Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 000290
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: POLICE FIRED FOR NEGLIGENCE IN RAUF CASE
Classified By: CDA Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On 17 January, the government of Pakistan
fired nine police officers for negligence leading to al-Qaida
operative Rashid Rauf's escape from police custody in
December 2007 in Islamabad. A committee formed by the
Ministry of Interior determined Rauf escaped due to police
negligence and not connivance, and the committee indicates it
intends to bring disciplinary action against others found to
be remiss in the case. While such disciplinary action is
welcomed, the government does not know Rauf's current
location. End summary.
2. (U) The Senior Superintendent of Police (SPP) Syed Kalim
Imam fired January 17 five Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI),
one head constable, and three constables for negligence
resulting in Rashid Rauf's December 15, 2007 escape from
custody. The Pakistani government detained Rauf in August
2006 in connection with an al-Qaida plot to blow-up
trans-Atlantic airliners departing from the UK, but later
dropped these terrorism-related charges. The government
continued to hold Rauf, however, on lesser explosives and
forgery related charges and on an extradition request from
the British government. London hoped to extradite Rauf for
the 2002 killing of his uncle in Birmingham and to question
him regarding his role in the 2006 airline bomb plot.
3. (C) Rauf's December 2007 escape from Pakistani police
custody sparked a flurry of speculation and farcical news
reports. According to most Pakistani press accounts, police
allowed Rauf's uncle to transport him from the courtroom to
the jail following an extradition hearing in his personal van
rather than in a police vehicle. While en route to the
prison, the uncle also convinced the constables to stop and
eat at a fast-food restaurant, and later to pray at a mosque.
Rauf and his uncle then escaped during the prayer service.
4. (C) Ministry of Interior representatives last week briefed
the British High Commission on their on-going investigation
into Rauf's escape. An Embassy contact at the British High
Commission said an investigatory committee formed by the
Interior Ministry found that police acted negligently, but
did not connive with Rauf to aid his escape. The Interior
Ministry plans to continue their investigation and promised
to take disciplinary action against anyone found to be
remiss. The Ministry also told the British they have no leads
on Rauf's current whereabouts, and do not know if he is still
in Pakistan.
BODDE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: POLICE FIRED FOR NEGLIGENCE IN RAUF CASE
Classified By: CDA Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On 17 January, the government of Pakistan
fired nine police officers for negligence leading to al-Qaida
operative Rashid Rauf's escape from police custody in
December 2007 in Islamabad. A committee formed by the
Ministry of Interior determined Rauf escaped due to police
negligence and not connivance, and the committee indicates it
intends to bring disciplinary action against others found to
be remiss in the case. While such disciplinary action is
welcomed, the government does not know Rauf's current
location. End summary.
2. (U) The Senior Superintendent of Police (SPP) Syed Kalim
Imam fired January 17 five Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI),
one head constable, and three constables for negligence
resulting in Rashid Rauf's December 15, 2007 escape from
custody. The Pakistani government detained Rauf in August
2006 in connection with an al-Qaida plot to blow-up
trans-Atlantic airliners departing from the UK, but later
dropped these terrorism-related charges. The government
continued to hold Rauf, however, on lesser explosives and
forgery related charges and on an extradition request from
the British government. London hoped to extradite Rauf for
the 2002 killing of his uncle in Birmingham and to question
him regarding his role in the 2006 airline bomb plot.
3. (C) Rauf's December 2007 escape from Pakistani police
custody sparked a flurry of speculation and farcical news
reports. According to most Pakistani press accounts, police
allowed Rauf's uncle to transport him from the courtroom to
the jail following an extradition hearing in his personal van
rather than in a police vehicle. While en route to the
prison, the uncle also convinced the constables to stop and
eat at a fast-food restaurant, and later to pray at a mosque.
Rauf and his uncle then escaped during the prayer service.
4. (C) Ministry of Interior representatives last week briefed
the British High Commission on their on-going investigation
into Rauf's escape. An Embassy contact at the British High
Commission said an investigatory committee formed by the
Interior Ministry found that police acted negligently, but
did not connive with Rauf to aid his escape. The Interior
Ministry plans to continue their investigation and promised
to take disciplinary action against anyone found to be
remiss. The Ministry also told the British they have no leads
on Rauf's current whereabouts, and do not know if he is still
in Pakistan.
BODDE