GCIC plea for clemency for blast accused

Bangalore, Nov 30 (UNI) The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) appealed to the government to extend clemency for the 11 people who were awarded capital punishment in the Church blast cases by a Special Court here yesterday.

In a press release today, GCIC President Sajan K George said Christians believed in pure gift of life.

Referring to the Church blasts, which occurred in Karnataka and resulted in award of life sentence to 12 and capital punishment to another 11 accused, Mr George said the GCIC would approach President of India and Governor with clemency petition for death penalty awardees.

A special court yesterday awarded death sentence to 11 people and life imprisonment to 12 while acquitting four others of a banned outfit in the sensational serial Church blast case in 2000.

The serial explosions rocked Churches in J J Nagar (Bangalore), Keshwapur (Hubli) and Wadi in Gulbarga.

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