Mumbai terror massacre gunman to hang
A Pakistani gunman who helped carry out the Mumbai terrorist attacks which killed 166 people was today sentenced to death by a court in the city.
Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, who was the only attacker of the 10 in the 2008 assault to survive, was told by Judge ML Tahaliyani he must die because there was no chance he could be rehabilitated.
He said that Kasab, 22, "should be hanged by the neck until he is dead", adding: "Such a person can't be given an opportunity to reform himself."
The sentence must be confirmed by India's High Court and could also be subject to a lengthy appeal.
Today's decision follows Kasab's conviction three days ago on charges of murder and waging war against India. Hotels, a railway station, Jewish centre and restaurant were sprayed with bullets by the 10 Islamist gunmen. Kasab was photographed attacking the station. India blamed the Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, for masterminding the attacks.
The judge rejected arguments by Kasab's lawyer that he had committed the crime under duress and pressure from Lashkar-e-Taiba and ruled instead that he had joined the militant group on his own and willingly trained to be a fighter.
Kasab, who was described during his trial as a "killing machine" who had been "cruelty incarnate", shook his head after being asked if he wanted to make a statement.
Only one person has been executed in India since 1998 with most death sentences commuted to life in prison. A man convicted of raping and murdering a 14-year-old girl was sent to the gallows in August 2004.
