21 December 2003 02:00
Latvian Government. withdraws charges of terrorism against 10 Pakistanis
RIGA, (Latvia), Dec 21 (PPI): Latvian Government has withdrawn its charges of terrorism against 10 Pakistani
"Taekwando players" on an application moved by the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International in the Latvian
Interior Ministry in Riga. The ten Pakistani citizens, Mohammad Shafique Marllowe, Chaudhry Muhammad Mansha, Rasheed
Ahmad Siddiqi, Mohammad Akmal Siddiqi, Muzaffar Hayyat Khan, Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Zahid, Imran Malick, Ejaz Ahmed
and Muhammad Akmal, who entered Latvia on 15th November 03, 2003 via Riga Airport, were arrested on 21st November on
suspicion of terrorism. The Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International is now arranging their return seats confirmation
for Lahore. All the players who belong to Punjab will arrive at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, hopefully
within a day or two, said a press release issued from Ansar Burney Welfare Trust here on Sunday. The human rights
activist Ansar Burney, Advocate had strongly condemned the arrest of the Pakistani players on Terrorism charges and
challenged the arrest in the District Court of Riga and Latvian Ministry of Interior. In his application in the Interior
Ministry of Latvia, Ansar Burney had declared the arrest of 10 Pakistanis as illegal and said this arrest has gave a bad
name to Pakistan and its nationals and mount to be a discrimination between the human beings on country and religion
basis.These Pakistanis were innocent "Taekwando players" who went to Riga to participate in international
games on an invitation from Latvia, with legal visas and completing all other legal formalities, but were arrested from
their hotel on terrorism charges on a crime they had never committed.The 10 Pakistani players who went to Latvia, on
15th November stayed in a local hotel and took part in games. They got valid visas at the Riga Air port till 23rd
November. When they made reservation for their return to Pakistan for 22nd by Aeroflot via Russia, they were arrested a
day before their return on terrorism charges.
PPI
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
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