''Rana did not congratulate Headley on 26/11 success''

Chicago, May 28: Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 co-accused, did not congratulate co-conspirator David Coleman Headley, unlike several others, on the success of the Mumbai terror attacks, attorney of the Pakistani-Canadian said during the trial.

Rana's attorney Patrick Blegen told a Chicago court that for 26/11 carnage, Headley was congratulated by his brother Hamza and wife Shazia among several others, but not by Rana.

50-year-old Rana was charged in the case that he provided a front to Headley by appointing him as an immigration consultant at his First World Immigration Office in Mumbai.

Blegen also argued in the court Harry D Leinenweber as alleged initially, Rana was not the first to say the nine attackers killed in the Mumbai attacks should be given Pakistan's highest honour the ''Nishane Haider'', but was merely repeating what Headley had said.

In the secretly recorded conversation, Rana said, "You know they should be given Nishane Haider..."

Blegen claimed that Rana was repeating what "you" (Headley) had said.

The attorney also brought up the topic that Headley indulged in a lot of "loose talk", and used to express anger expressed view that were extreme. "He engaged in loose talk with everybody and did not keep it to himself."

It was also alleged that Headley was manipulative and would say different things to different people and only letting them know what was needed.

PTI