Accessibility links

Breaking News

Pakistan Court Extends Detention of US Diplomat


An armored car carries a U.S. consular employee, suspected in a shooting, leaves a court in Lahore, Pakistan, February 3, 2011
An armored car carries a U.S. consular employee, suspected in a shooting, leaves a court in Lahore, Pakistan, February 3, 2011

A Pakistan court has ruled that police can continue holding a U.S. diplomat accused of a double murder for at least eight more days.

The U.S. had asked Pakistan to release the diplomat, identified as Raymond Davis, saying he has diplomatic immunity and was detained illegally in the eastern city of Lahore, where the shooting took place.

Embassy officials say Davis acted in self defense during an alleged robbery attempt by two men. Pakistani authorities said Davis fired his gun at the two men who later died. A third Pakistani was killed when he was struck by a consulate vehicle that had rushed to the scene of the shooting.

Davis was arrested January 27 and faces double-murder charges in the two deaths. His next court date has been scheduled for February 11.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

XS
SM
MD
LG