By IANS/EFE,
Santiago : A Chile court has annulled the release of a Pakistani man, who was briefly detained after he entered the US embassy here with traces of explosives on his body.
The Santiago Court of Appeals Saturday ordered Mohammed Saif Ur Rehman Khan, charged with illegal possession of explosives, remanded in custody, judicial sources said. He faces three years jail term, if found guilty.
The 28-year-old man, a student of hotel management, had been granted bail last weekend by a Santiago court, which nonetheless charged him with illegal possession of explosives.
The man, who claimed innocence, was asked to sign in at the court every week and restricted to leave Chile for 120 days pending the outcome of the investigation into the charges against him.
Hearing the Attorney General’s appeal against Khan’s release on probation, the court of appeals ruled that the evidence in the case shows the Pakistani has established ties with people with an illegal store of explosives.
After the court’s decision, the suspect asked the government of his country for help.
“I will fight to prove my innocence. I know those who are doing this and why they are doing this to me and my family. I ask the Pakistani government, especially the foreign ministry, to get involved in my case,” he told reporters.
Saturday’s ruling by a 2-1 majority said that the reasons for the suspect’s stay in Chile are not clear and he constitutes a “danger” to public safety.
Mohammed Saif Ur Rehman was arrested May 10 at the US embassy after being detected with traces of an explosive substance. He said during interrogation that he was asked to come to the embassy to correct an error in his name on his visa.
Nicolas Calvo, a prosecutor in the case, said he agreed with the court’s decision because it meant that “public safety is guaranteed”.
The suspect said on several occasions that he is not a terrorist and that he admires the US, but has not explained the presence of explosive material on his belongings.
“I’m worried about my family and I love them more than anything. I have faith in the Chilean judges and in their judicial system,” the student said, adding that “I’m sure we will win this case when truth triumphs over falsehood.”