Gunmen in Pakistan shoot dead lawyer who defended CIA doctor
Xinhua, March 18, 2015 Adjust font size:
Gunmen in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday shot dead a lawyer for Dr Shakil Afridi, who had allegedly helped the United States in locating Osama bin Laden, police said.
The attackers fired at the car of Samiullah Afridi near Peshawar city when he was heading home, a police officer said. 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 defense 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 Dr Shakil Afridi had also said they were receiving threats and wanted to leave the country.
The United States has been asking for Afridi's release. However, Pakistan has turned down the request. Afridi has also filed an appeal against his conviction. Endi