India holding 'wrong man' in Delhi bombing case
Supporters of Muslim journalist linked to blast that targeted Israeli diplomat in Delhi insist he's innocent, UK paper reports
Supporters of a Muslim journalist detained in Delhi in connection with a bomb attack that targeted an Israeli diplomat haves stepped up efforts to have him released, claiming he is innocent, The Independent reported Saturday.
According to the report, Syed Mohamed Kazmi, an Urdu-language journalist who also worked for an Iranian news agency, was detained on March 6, three weeks after an explosive device was planted on an Israeli embassy vehicle, injuring the wife of a Defense Ministry attaché.
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The police claim they have electronic surveillance evidence that links Kazmi to a conspiracy, the UK-based newspaper reported, citing leaks to the media. But Kazmi's supporters insist he could not have been involved in the attack. They claim that he was arrested due to his links to Iran and his known antipathy towards Israel, and have held him on scant evidence, amid a growing political alliance between Delhi and Jerusalem.
Embassy car after blast (Photo: AP)
Kazmi's attorney, Mahmood Paracha, has been trying to secure bail for his client. Kazmi has claimed in a statement submitted to the court that he was forced to sign papers and that he had been "interrogated by officials of other investigating agencies, like Mossad of Israel, RAW, IB and others," according to the report. RAW and IB are India's spy agencies.
"India is the largest democracy in the world. Let us show the world that we are following the letter of the law," Paracha said, adding that his client had told him: "Do not try to get me released. Fight to get the truth out and then I will be acquitted."
Kazmi was at rally on day of blast
Kazmi's supporters have organized candle-lit marches and demonstrations. Sanjay Kapoor, his editor at Hard News magazine, said that, prior to the bombing, "He did not appear anxious or concerned".
The terror attack that injured Tal Yehoshua Koren – the diplomat's wife – and three other people took place on the same day as a series of botched blasts in Thailand and an attempted explosion in Georgia. Police have said there are links between the plots and the authorities in Bangkok subsequently arrested three Iranian citizens, including a man who blew off his legs when a explosive device he was carrying went off.
Scene of bomb attack (Photo: AFP)
According to The Independent, on the day of the Delhi blast, Kazmi was taking part in a protest outside the headquarters of the ruling Congress Party. They were rallying against the alleged encroachment on an 800-year-old Shia shrine by a plant and nursery business, said to be part-owned by two senior Congress members. The shrine's secretary, Bahadur Abbas, was quoted as saying: "Now the protests have stopped. People are too scared."
Police in Delhi said they want to questions four Iranians in connection with the February 13 blast, and Interpol has issued a "red" notice for them. Police have told the Indian media that Kazmi was detained after they picked up electronic links to the Iranians.
India and Israel have developed an increasingly important strategic relationship, though the police in Delhi have denied allowing Israeli officials to question Kazmi. A spokesman for the Israeli embassy, David Goldfarb, told the Independent: "Israel has full confidence that the relevant Indian authorities are conducting these investigations in the most professional manner."
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