Faiz Baluch a 'casualty of geopolitics', not a terrorist, argues British lawyer
London, Jan.6 (ANI): A London court has learnt that a refugee Faiz Baluch, accused of calling for murder in the name of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army via websites and telephone links, was not a terrorist.
Helena Kennedy, the lawyer representing Baluch at Woolwich Crown Court,aid that Baluch was a 'casualty of geopolitics'.
Kennedy argued that Baluch can not be labeled a terrorist as he was calling for self-defence of his homeland Balochistan, an oil-rich province in southwest Pakistan.
Stating that he (Baluch) was a victim of close ties between Britain and Pakistan under Musharraf, Kennedy said: "The British government was drawn into that distortion purely for political reasons because Britain, like America, wanted Pakistan on side in the war on terror."
'The Baloch people are entitled to defend themselves against brute violence, death and destruction.What he is saying to you is that if your survival is at stake you are entitled to defend yourself... If the Germans had marched into Britain we would have been entitled to resist,' the Dawn quoted Kennedy, as saying.
Since 2004, several people have been killed in violence in Baloschistan, the bordering area of Afghanistan and Iran.
Rebels and extremists are demanding a greater share in profit from the natural resources and autonomy for themselves.
In recent times, the region is also hit hard by the Taliban and sectarian extremists making the scenario worse for the people residing here. (ANI)