Headlines
Lawyer who defended CIA doctor, shot dead in Pakistan
Islamabad, March 18
Gunmen in Pakistan shot
dead a lawyer for Shakil Afridi, who had allegedly helped the US in
locating Osama bin Laden, police said.
The attackers on Tuesday
fired at the car of Samiullah Afridi near Peshawar city when he was
heading home, a police officer said, Dwan online reported.
The Taliban splinter group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, claimed responsibility.
Family
of the killed lawyer said he had been receiving threats since he had
started defence of Shakil Afridi. He went abroad in 2013 in the wake of
dangers to his life and returned to the country three months ago.
The
authorities put a 33-year jail sentence on Shakil Afridi in 2012 for
his alleged financial support to a banned militant group.
Reports
suggested that the wife and children of Shakil Afridi had also said
they were receiving threats and wanted to leave the country.
The
US has been asking for Afridi's release. However, Pakistan has turned
down the request. Afridi has also filed an appeal against his
conviction.