Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KARACHI583
2008-10-27 08:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:
KARACHI PRISON VISIT: JONATHAN (AZAM) CHAMAN
VZCZCXRO5348 RR RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHKP #0583 3010814 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 270814Z OCT 08 FM AMCONSUL KARACHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0722 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0189 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 2594 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4477
UNCLAS KARACHI 000583
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS/ACS CHRISTINE TADROS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC CHAMAN JONATHAN
SUBJECT: KARACHI PRISON VISIT: JONATHAN (AZAM) CHAMAN
REF: KARACHI 449
UNCLAS KARACHI 000583
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS/ACS CHRISTINE TADROS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC CHAMAN JONATHAN
SUBJECT: KARACHI PRISON VISIT: JONATHAN (AZAM) CHAMAN
REF: KARACHI 449
1. (SBU) On October 15, 2008, Consular Officer (ConOff)
visited American citizen Jonathan Chaman (DPOB: 6 December
1973, Pakistan) in Central Prison Karachi. Mr. Chaman told
ConOff that his treatment is good and had improved since the
visit by the Consul General in July 2008 (reftel). He made
no mention of the violence in Central Prison Karachi that was
reported earlier in the week. He has no major health
problems but complained about weight loss due to the poor
food quality.
2. (SBU) Although Mr. Chaman has spent 29 months in prison
and is taken to court each month, he is still waiting for his
trial to begin. Currently he does not have a lawyer assigned
to his case nor does he have any money to hire an attorney.
(The recently appointed Superintendent of Central Prison told
ConOff that he would assist Mr. Chaman in finding an attorney
for his case.) ConOff also suggested that Mr. Chaman meet
with the NGOs who visit the prison since they might be able
to help him obtain legal representation.
3. (SBU) As always, the visit took place in the
Superintendent,s Office. The Superintendent left after
several minutes and allowed Mr. Chaman to talk to ConOff
without the presence of a guard. At the conclusion of the
visit, ConOff spoke to the Superintendent about the delays in
Mr. Chaman,s trial and his health concerns. The
Superintendent responded positively and said he would have a
doctor examine Mr. Chaman immediately and he would also check
on the status of his trial.
Anske
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS/ACS CHRISTINE TADROS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC CHAMAN JONATHAN
SUBJECT: KARACHI PRISON VISIT: JONATHAN (AZAM) CHAMAN
REF: KARACHI 449
1. (SBU) On October 15, 2008, Consular Officer (ConOff)
visited American citizen Jonathan Chaman (DPOB: 6 December
1973, Pakistan) in Central Prison Karachi. Mr. Chaman told
ConOff that his treatment is good and had improved since the
visit by the Consul General in July 2008 (reftel). He made
no mention of the violence in Central Prison Karachi that was
reported earlier in the week. He has no major health
problems but complained about weight loss due to the poor
food quality.
2. (SBU) Although Mr. Chaman has spent 29 months in prison
and is taken to court each month, he is still waiting for his
trial to begin. Currently he does not have a lawyer assigned
to his case nor does he have any money to hire an attorney.
(The recently appointed Superintendent of Central Prison told
ConOff that he would assist Mr. Chaman in finding an attorney
for his case.) ConOff also suggested that Mr. Chaman meet
with the NGOs who visit the prison since they might be able
to help him obtain legal representation.
3. (SBU) As always, the visit took place in the
Superintendent,s Office. The Superintendent left after
several minutes and allowed Mr. Chaman to talk to ConOff
without the presence of a guard. At the conclusion of the
visit, ConOff spoke to the Superintendent about the delays in
Mr. Chaman,s trial and his health concerns. The
Superintendent responded positively and said he would have a
doctor examine Mr. Chaman immediately and he would also check
on the status of his trial.
Anske