26/11 suspect Rana was a Pakistani army deserter

PakistaniCanadian terror suspect Tahawwur Hussain Rana under investigation for possible links to 2611 Mumbai terror attacks offered a novel plea for bail saying as he is a deserter from the Pakistani army hes not a flight riskRana arrested for plotting to attack a Danish newspaper made the deserter plea before US District Judge Matthew Kennelly in a Chicago court Wednesday making a bond request that has already been denied by another federal judge Rana contended that because he deserted the military and isnt welcome back in Pakistan hes not a flight risk and should be released on bond But judge Kennelly postponed a decision on Ranas bond pending a new indictment against the suspect which prosecutors say could come by Jan 14 That indictment could send the case to a different judge hence the delay in ruling on bond Federal prosecutors say he should remain behind bars because he knew about plans to commit terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008 that resulted in 166 deaths In affidavits filed in federal court the FBI said Rana48 coconspirator of LashkareTaiba operative David Headley knew in advance about the 2611 Mumbai attacks after which he complimented the Pakistanbased terror outfit It is unclear whether the federal grand jury indictment that the government promises before Jan 14 will include additional terrorism charges against Rana Ranas attorneys say that the allegations are serious but maintain the defendants role as alleged in the complaint is comparatively minor given the scope and purpose of the supposed plot Regardless the motion filed by Ranas lawyers provided new details about his backgroundincluding Ranas admitted desertion from the Pakistani army Defendants Pakistani background should raise no concerns whatsoever regarding risk of flight it said suggesting that while serving as a physician in the Pakistani military Rana suffered from two high altitude conditions as he was transported to high elevation in the Northern Areas of Pakistan without proper acclimatisation Rana then requested and was granted leave to seek medical treatment and subsequently flew to England for treatment the motion said Ranas extended treatment forced him to overstay his leave making him a de jure deserter from the Pakistani military Defendant has not returned to Pakistan since and any attempt to flee to Pakistan would be met with incarceration and court martial proceedings As such Defendant presents no risk of fleeing to Pakistan because to do so would only change the location of his detention the motion said Furthermore the United States and Pakistan have a long standing bilateral extradition treaty so any attempt to flee to his home country would ultimately be in vain it said u00a0