The status hearing of Pakistani born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, co-accused with David Coleman Headley in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks took in Chicago on Wednesday, even as his lawyer claimed that Indian government officials hadn't approached him yet for access.
The status hearing took place with the discussions about the commencement of trial next week, in what is supposedly the most important terrorism trial ever to be held in Chicago.
Commenting on recent reports that India may gain access to him like they did to Headley last year, Rana's attorney Patrick Blegen claimed that the Indian government officials hadn't approached him yet.
Part of the hearing on Wednesday was closed. On April 25, in a second superseding indictment, US prosecutors charged four additional men, all Pakistani residents, in the 26/11 terror attacks that left 166 dead including six Americans.
Rana dressed in an orange coloured jumpsuit smiled looking around in the courtroom.
The government would file its Santiago Proffer later in the day, parts of which will be sealed.
The Santiago Proffer is a document in which the government presents its case and connects the evidence by joining point to point the evidence, witnesses, conspirators and other details.
Next week jury selection would begin with jurors being questioned and filling up a questionnaire.
"Rana is a very nice and polite man and it has been very difficult for him and his family," Rana's attorney Patrick Blegen told media in Chicago at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Blegen said that his client might not testify and he would not disclose whether he would or would not testify. "We're very much looking forward to cross-examine Mr Headley," he added.
Headley is likely to testify at the trial. While Headley pleaded guilty, Rana has not pleaded guilty. Blegen also mentioned that the government's prosecutorial team had a very good track record.
Asked on what kind of juror he was wanting, Blegen said that he wanted just and fair jurors who could put aside facts and emotions and apply logic to the case.
Rana was indicted by a federal grand jury under 12 counts on February 15 last year for planning out the attacks, providing material support to Lashkar-e-Tayiba to carry out the bombings, and guiding Headley in scouting targets in Mumbai in the process.
Headley, who was originally Daood Gilani, changed and anglicised his name in order to carry out the carnage without disclosing his Pakistani identity.
Rana, who had served as a doctor in the Pakistani army medical corps, before he migrated to Canada, is also accused in plotting an attack with Headley on a Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten that published cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. If convicted, Rana faces a possible life sentence.
