Man convicted in Air India bombing seeks release

Vancouver: The only man ever convicted in the 1985 Air India bombing wants out of jail.
Inderjit Singh Reyat has served 20 years behind bars for two separate convictions related to the incident that claimed 331 lives in a blast off the coast of Ireland.
On Wednesday, his lawyer Ian Donaldson asked the B.C. Court of Appeal to reconsider holding his client in jail while he awaits trial on a perjury charge.
In March, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Patrick Dohm denied Reyat bail while he awaits trial on accusations he lied while testifying at the Air India trial that ended in acquittals of the two men accused.
Reyat's trial is scheduled for next January.
Justice Ian Josephson labelled Reyat an "unmitigated liar under oath" in his ruling that acquitted Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri of the bombing deaths.
Stan Lowe, spokesman for the Crown, said Reyat is entitled to a review at the appeal court level.
There are normally three grounds for refusing bail to an accused, including a flight risk, the possibility that a person may repeat the offence and if detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the justice system.
Reyat served two manslaughter sentences for his role in the bombings of Air India Flight 182 and a blast at Tokyo's Narita Airport in June 1985.
11/06/08 The Canadian Press/Toronto Star, Canada

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India - International Jun 2008, Foreign Jun 2008, NACIL Jun 2008, Safety Jun 2008