Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NEWDELHI1508
2009-07-20 14:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
KASAB UNEXPECTEDLY ADMITS TO CARRYING OUT MUMBAI
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHNE #1508 2011407 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201407Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7457 INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001508
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: KASAB UNEXPECTEDLY ADMITS TO CARRYING OUT MUMBAI
ATTACKS, NAMES THOSE WHO TRAINED HIM
UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001508
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: KASAB UNEXPECTEDLY ADMITS TO CARRYING OUT MUMBAI
ATTACKS, NAMES THOSE WHO TRAINED HIM
1. The sole survivor of the ten member team alleged to have
carried out last November's terrorist attacks on Mumbai,
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, unexpectedly admitted his guilt to
the judge in court on July 20. As prosecutors prepared to
question the 135th witness out of the 150 slated to testify
in the case, Kasab suddenly stood up before the court and
reportedly declared "I plead guilty to my crime." In his
admission, he named Lakshar-e-Taiba members Zakir-ur-Rehman
Lakhvi and Abu Hamza as masterminds of the attacks, and
listed the nine attackers who accompanied him and were killed
in Mumbai. He also named "Abu Kafa" and "Abu Zunjal" as
participants. Kasab detailed the entire sequence of events,
starting from the launch site near Karachi where he said
Lakhvi boarded the ten terrorists onto the first of four
boats that would carry them to Mumbai. He also admitted his
involvement at the CST railway station and the Cama Hospital.
2. Kasab is charged on at least 86 counts, including waging
war against India and murder. In May, he pleaded not guilty
to all charges. Kasab reportedly told the press he was
confessing NOW because Pakistan had "disowned" him.
(Pakistani investigators had listed Kasab in a charge sheet
related to the attacks released on July 19.)
3. Comment: We expect the court to go into recess tomorrow
and put further testimony will be put on hold, in order to
give the prosecution and judges an opportunity to explore the
legality of the confession. At least one supreme court
official told the press it was not clear whether Kasab had
confessed voluntarily. It is also not clear how Kasab's
confession will affect the trials of the two Indian national
being tried in connection with the Mumbai attacks. End
Comment.
ROEMER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: KASAB UNEXPECTEDLY ADMITS TO CARRYING OUT MUMBAI
ATTACKS, NAMES THOSE WHO TRAINED HIM
1. The sole survivor of the ten member team alleged to have
carried out last November's terrorist attacks on Mumbai,
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, unexpectedly admitted his guilt to
the judge in court on July 20. As prosecutors prepared to
question the 135th witness out of the 150 slated to testify
in the case, Kasab suddenly stood up before the court and
reportedly declared "I plead guilty to my crime." In his
admission, he named Lakshar-e-Taiba members Zakir-ur-Rehman
Lakhvi and Abu Hamza as masterminds of the attacks, and
listed the nine attackers who accompanied him and were killed
in Mumbai. He also named "Abu Kafa" and "Abu Zunjal" as
participants. Kasab detailed the entire sequence of events,
starting from the launch site near Karachi where he said
Lakhvi boarded the ten terrorists onto the first of four
boats that would carry them to Mumbai. He also admitted his
involvement at the CST railway station and the Cama Hospital.
2. Kasab is charged on at least 86 counts, including waging
war against India and murder. In May, he pleaded not guilty
to all charges. Kasab reportedly told the press he was
confessing NOW because Pakistan had "disowned" him.
(Pakistani investigators had listed Kasab in a charge sheet
related to the attacks released on July 19.)
3. Comment: We expect the court to go into recess tomorrow
and put further testimony will be put on hold, in order to
give the prosecution and judges an opportunity to explore the
legality of the confession. At least one supreme court
official told the press it was not clear whether Kasab had
confessed voluntarily. It is also not clear how Kasab's
confession will affect the trials of the two Indian national
being tried in connection with the Mumbai attacks. End
Comment.
ROEMER