PAKISTAN: THREE GET DEATH SENTENCE IN KIDNAPPING AND MURDER CASE

an Anti Terrorism Court in Pakistan handed down the death sentence on two counts to three accused after finding them guilty of kidnapping and murdering a boy in September, 2006. Farhan Khan, Mohammad Qasim and Raheel were prosecuted for kidnapping Owais Ali, 12, for ransom from Landhi area on September 14, 2006. The prosecution alleged that the defendants demanded Rs. 50 million in ransom from the abductee’s father Sadaqat Ali, a contractor, for the release of his son. Later, the defendants settled the ransom amount at Rs.200,000 and asked the complainant to deliver the amount in Korangi No.2 area. However, police arrested the kidnappers who disclosed that they killed the abductee and threw his body in a Nullah in Landhi area for not receiving ransom amount. Qasim had masterminded the kidnapping as he knew the financial position of the complainant, the prosecution alleged. Special Public Prosecutor Mobashir Ahmed Mirza placed 19 witnesses to prove the guilt of the defendants. He argued that all the defendants having common intention committed the offence which was harmful to society and they should be awarded capital punishment for their gruesome offence. The court also directed that moveable and immovable properties of each convict shall be confiscated to the extent of Rs.100,000.