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Sentencing Delayed for Pakistani Convicted in Mumbai Attacks


An Indian court will sentence the Pakistani man convicted of the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai on Thursday.

The judge presiding over the case delayed announcing a decision during Tuesday's sentencing hearing in Mumbai. The prosecutor has called for the death penalty for Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the only gunman captured alive during the three-day siege that killed 166 people.

The prosecutor argued Tuesday that the convicted gunman showed no remorse for his actions and should receive the harshest possible sentence.

The defense attorney asked the judge to give Kasab the lesser punishment of life in prison, arguing that his client acted under the influence of a terrorist organization.

Kasab was found guilty Monday of nearly all of the 86 charges against him, including murder and waging war against India.

The 22-year old was one of 10 gunmen who arrived by sea and attacked Mumbai's main railway station, two five-star hotels, a restaurant and a Jewish center.

He was arrested on the first night of the attacks at the railway station, where scores of people died.

Two Indians accused of helping to plot the carnage, Fahim Ansari and Sabaauddin Ahmed, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Indian authorities accused the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba of orchestrating the attacks. Kasab is a member of the group.

Islamabad has admitted that Kasab is a Pakistani citizen and that the attacks were partly planned on its soil.

India has charged 38 people in connection with the attacks, while Pakistan has arrested and charged seven suspects.

The Mumbai siege prompted New Delhi to suspend peace talks with Islamabad, but India and Pakistan are now taking steps to normalize ties.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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