No charges for Pakistani in Chile explosives scare

SANTIAGO: Chile has decided not press charges against a Pakistani student arrested at the US embassy with traces of explosives in his belongings, a prosecutor said, citing a lack of evidence against him.

“There is insufficient evidence to proceed in a criminal case against” Saif Ur Rehman Khan, prosecutor Alejandro Pena told AFP.

Pena said that after eight months of investigation, authorities would not seek formal charges against the Pakistani student, 29, who arrived in Chile in January to work in a tourism job.

“The traces that were found were not enough to have him charged,” added Pena.

Khan was investigated on charges of illegal possession of explosives, but not the more serious accusation of violating an anti-terror law originally sought by Chilean authorities.

Khan went to the US embassy on May 10 after being called in for a discussion about his US visa, which had been revoked.

He was arrested after going through a security check, where embassy officials discovered traces of a TNT explosive on his hands, cell phone, bag and documents.

The Pakistani national has denied the illegal explosives charge, saying he harbors no malice toward the United States, where he has relatives.

He has said his predicament was “a big misunderstanding stemming from a mistaken identity.”His arrest came a week after the arrest in the United States of a naturalized US citizen born in Pakistan, Faisal Shahzad, whom US authorities accuse of planting a car bomb on May 1 in New York’s Times Square. – AFP

There is insufficient evidence to proceed in a criminal case against” Saif Ur Rehman Khan, said prosecutor Alejandro Pena. – Photo by Reuters (File)

Just a silly case of mistaken identity. No problem.
So this lovely fella is probably on his way here. Jus' wunnerful.

2 posted on 12/01/2010 9:58:46 PM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)

Okay, Chile if you say so; but please, Incompitano, keep him out of the US.

3 posted on 12/01/2010 10:35:51 PM PST by Roy Tucker ("You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."--Ayn Rand)

It’s that pesky TNT residue, the stuff is everywhere.

And he just happened to be walking into the American Embassy in Santiago with the pesky stuff on him. Sheer coincidence.

5 posted on 12/02/2010 8:33:16 PM PST by Roy Tucker ("You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."--Ayn Rand)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.