INDIA. SEVEN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER AMERICAN CENTRE ATTACK

a court in Calcutta, India, sentenced seven men to death over the killing of five policemen guarding US government offices in the city on January 22, 2002.
Those sentenced to death were Aftab Ansari, Jamiluddin Nasser, Rehan Alam, Adil Hasan, Musharat Hussain, Hasrat Alam and Shakir Aktar.
The policemen died when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire with automatic weapons outside the American Center housing US trade and cultural offices in the eastern city.
Another 17 people, mainly police, were wounded in the attack which authorities said was aimed at the police, not the US.
The charges against the men, laid under tough anti-terrorism laws, included waging war against the state and murder. They were found guilty on April 26.
Defence counsel Syed Shahid Imam told reporters outside the court: "My clients heard out their punishment reservedly, calmly and stoically. They didn't grovel for mercy. They told the judge that they were innocent. We will definitely appeal."
The death sentences were subject to confirmation by the Calcutta High Court.