Abu Salem can't be kept in jail beyond 25 yrs, argues lawyer
The lawyer representing 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Abu Salem has argued that he cannot be sentenced to death or to jail for over 25 years under a treaty with Portugal. Salem was brought back under the treaty after he was detained in Portugal in 2002. The lawyer also said Salem's detention period should be counted as 15 years already served.
The lawyer of 1993 Mumbai serial blast convict Abu Salem on Monday began his arguments and sought lesser sentence to the extradited gangster before the special Tada court. Salem?s lawyer Sudeep Passbola told the court that some of the convicts, sentenced in the first set of trial, were awarded eight years imprisonment for the offence committed which was similar to what Salem was tried for. The lawyer said Salem has been in jail for the last 15 years, contending his detention period should be counted since the time he was detained in Portugal in 2002. Read more: 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case: Why Abu Salem is likely to escape capital punishmentThe lawyer said he was entitled to a set-off as the extradition treaty says that he cannot be kept in jail for over 25 years. The court will continue to hear the arguments today. The special court had on June 16 convicted six persons and acquitted one in the case. Read more: 1993 Mumbai blasts: Abu Salem moves EU human rights court, says trial illegal