Raymond Davis, the US national with dubious diplomatic status has become a cause of great concern for all stakeholders connected with Lahore killings. US Ambassador Cameron Munter approached President Asif Ali Zardari for his release on Monday, whereas, fearing Davis's release, the widow of the man killed by Davis committed suicide the other day.
As desperation is clear on both sides, the US Ambassador called on President Zardari and demanded release of Raymond Davis, who the US believes enjoys immunity from prosecution under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. However, the President told the Ambassador that the matter was sub judice and he could not intervene at the present stage, it is learnt.
Raymond Davis was arrested on January 27, after he shot and killed two motorcyclists in Lahore. A third person was killed after being run over by the US consulate car that was rushing to rescue Davis on his 'SOS' call. Though US State Department has reportedly not confirmed Davis as a diplomat, the US government, over the past few days, has ramped up pressure on Islamabad for Davis's release. Initially, it said that Davis had a diplomatic passport, and urged the Foreign Office for diplomatic immunity.
Then a visiting Congressional delegation took up the matter with the government and protested over 'illegal detention' of Davis, urging Islamabad 'to abide by' international laws. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had stated in NA that Davis's issue was sub judice and the government would follow whatever decision the court would take. Despite the resistance to US pressure for release of Raymond Davis, the government on February 6 was reported to be all set to release him on the basis diplomatic immunity.
The killings had stirred anti-American sentiment among Pakistanis and they took to the streets putting pressure on the government not to release Davis. And, suicide of Shumaila Kanwal, the widow of Faheem Ahmed, who was gunned down by Davis, added fuel to the fire. Media reports suggest that Shumaila Kanwal killed herself after learning that Davis would be handed over to US government without trial. "The killer is being treated as 'guest' at the police station. I need justice and blood for the blood of my husband," is her reported statement prior to death. "I do not expect any justice from this government," she said.
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