Oct. 4
PAKISTAN:
Death sentence for 'assassins'
A Pakistan military court overnight sentenced 4 people to death and handed
2 others life terms for their role in a 2003 attempt to assassinate
President Pervez Musharraf.
They were involved in a plot by junior Pakistan air force officials to
kill Mr Musharraf by blowing up a bridge in the garrison city of
Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, on December 14, 2003. Mr Musharraf narrowly
survived.
"4 junior officials have been sentenced to death and 2 others were given
life imprisonment," a senior security official said.
The assassination bid was the 1st of 2 in the same month. Key US ally Mr
Musharraf escaped unharmed because a hi-tech jamming device on the
president's Mercedes had delayed the detonation of 5 bombs.
(source: The Australian)
IRAQ:
Iraqi lawmakers approve the death penalty for acts of terrorism
Iraqi lawmakers are taking a tough stance against terrorism.
They have approved the death penalty for anyone financing or provoking
terrorism. It's in response to the almost daily suicide bombings in Iraq.
The Associated Press has obtained a copy of the law, which states that
anyone who provokes, plans or finances acts of terrorism will be subject
to capital punishment.
Anyone who "intentionally conceals terrorist activity or gives shelter to
a terrorist" faces life in prison.
One lawmaker says the law needs to be "tough enough to guarantee the
safety" of the Iraqi people.
(source: Associated Press)
