Pakistan frees Hafiz Saeed, alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks - NBC News

NOV 24 2017, 6:17 AM ET

Pakistan frees Hafiz Saeed, alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks

by WAJAHAT S. KHAN

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistani authorities on Friday released the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks who has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head.

Hafiz Saeed, whose house arrest in January was seen as a signal of a broader shift in Pakistan’s treatment of extremists, was freed before dawn the city of Lahore, according to Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a spokesman for the Islamist cleric's charity.

"I’m happy that no allegation against me was proved, which could have done damage to me, or my country’s interests," Saeed later told supporters. "Thank God, we were vindicated."

Saeed ran the Jamaat-Ud-Dawa organization (Party of the Faith), which is thought to be a front for the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militant group. India believes that Lashkar-e-Tayyaba was behind the deadly attack in Mumbai.

Pakistan has been detaining and freeing Saeed off and on since the attacks that left 166 dead, including several Americans.

His release came after a panel of judges dismissed a government request to continue his house arrest, which ended Thursday. Four aides had already been released.

Placing Saeed under house arrest earlier this year was driven in part by President Donald Trump’s arrival on the world stage as well as pressure from China, according to military insiders.

India's External Affairs Ministry condemned the release, and said in a statement that a "self-confessed and U.N. proscribed terrorist was being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda."

"He was not only the mastermind, he was the prime organizer of the Mumbai terror attacks in which many innocent Indians and many people from other nationalities were killed," spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement.

Indian soldiers battle militants near the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai on Nov. 29, 2008. Desmond Boylan / Reuters file

Kumar said Saeed's "release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistani government in bringing to justice perpetrators of heinous acts of terrorism."

Like much of Pakistan's establishment, Saeed was virulently anti-India, and campaigned against New Delhi’s occupation of the disputed territory of Kashmir for years.

Often a guest on conservative television talks shows, the popular jihadist still attracts large crowds with his anti-American and anti-Indian diatribes in rallies and protests.

Even though Pakistan has been involved in extensive counter-terror and counterinsurgency operations against al Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban and ISIS — the military says it has lost more than 7,000 soldiers battling terrorists since Sept. 11, 2001 — it is often blamed for selectively harboring certain other militant groups.

These include elements of the deadly Haqqani network in Afghanistan, the leadership of the Afghan Taliban, as well as Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.

Saeed's release could once again sour U.S. relations with nuclear-armed Islamabad, which had seen an apparent improvement after the rescue by Pakistan’s military of American hostage Caitlan Coleman and her family on Oct. 13.

American former hostage Caitlan Coleman speaks out for first time Play Facebook Twitter Embed

American former hostage Caitlan Coleman speaks out for first time 2:20

"This is a positive moment for our country's relationship with Pakistan," President Donald Trump said in a statement after Coleman was freed. "The Pakistani government's cooperation is a sign that it is honoring America's wishes for it to do more to provide security in the region."

Islamabad-Washington ties deteriorated during Trump’s first months in office.

In August, he warned that Pakistan had “much to lose” if it failed to cooperate with the U.S. in neighboring Afghanistan. He also expressed a desire to see India — Pakistan’s archrival — become an active stakeholder in stabilizing Afghanistan.

Before becoming president, Trump criticized Pakistan and said in a tweet: "Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. We’ve given them billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect—and much worse. #TimeToGetTough"

For years, the Pakistanis have been blamed by the U.S. for not doing enough in their counterterrorism efforts to end the Afghan war — the longest military engagement in America's history. Islamabad has rejected the criticism, saying it has also suffered being an ally of Washington in the war against terror.

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa takes power and vows to serve all citizens - BBC News

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa takes power and vows to serve all citizens

Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed a packed stadium, vowing to serve all citizens.

He said he felt "deeply humbled" to take the role.

And he said he was "not oblivious to the many Zimbabweans from across the political and racial divide who have helped make this day."

He paid tribute to his predecessor Robert Mugabe - to muted applause - calling him "a father, mentor, comrade-in-arms and my leader".

Mr Mugabe left office dramatically this week after 37 years of authoritarian rule. His departure followed a power struggle in which Mr Mnangagwa was sacked as vice president to pave the way for Grace Mugabe, the then-first lady, to take up the presidency.

Mr Mnangagwa fled the country but returned to a hero's welcome and on Friday struck a conciliatory tone.

"The task at hand is that of rebuilding our country," he said.

"I am required to serve our country as the president of all citizens regardless of colour, creed, religion, tribe, totem or political affiliation."

Follow live updates from the ceremony

Although Mr Mnangagwa has unseated Zimbabwe's long-time ruler, he is still associated by many with some of the worst atrocities committed under the ruling Zanu-PF party since the country gained independence in 1980.

Emmerson Mnangagwa in numbers

He was the country's spymaster during the 1980s civil conflict, in which thousands of civilians were killed. But he has denied any role in the massacres, blaming the army.

How has the inauguration unfolded?

Tens of thousands of people packed the National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, to witness the inauguration. Pop singer Jah Prayzer provided the entertainment and, as people in the crowd danced, the atmosphere was closer to that of a concert.

Dignitaries, including leaders from various African countries, filed in to cheers.

Opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Joice Mujuru - who have both also had their sights on the presidency at various times - were there.

Will Mnangagwa be different from Mugabe?

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What's next for Zimbabwe?

Mr Mnangagwa was led in the oath of office by Chief Justice Luke Malaba, saying he would "be faithful to Zimbabwe", "protect and promote the rights and people of Zimbabwe" and discharge his duties to the best of his abilities.

Mr Mnangagwa was accompanied by his wife Auxilia and gave her a kiss after the green presidential sash was placed around his neck.

The crowds cheered a 21-gun salute and a flypast.

Was Mr Mugabe there?

No - and the official reason given was that at 93, the former president needed to rest.

But the fact he is not attending is a stark reminder that this is no ordinary transition, the BBC's Andrew Harding reports, and that despite his official resignation he was forced out by the military.

On Thursday, several reports suggested Mr Mugabe had been granted immunity from prosecution.

Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace. Photo: 8 November 2017Image copyrightREUTERS

Image caption

President Mugabe was accused of preparing the presidency for his wife Grace

Local media are reporting that Mr Mnangagwa has offered the Mugabe family "maximum security and welfare".

The former president "expressed his good wishes and support for the incoming president," the Herald newspaper reports.

How did Zimbabwe get to this point?

The news on Tuesday that Mr Mugabe was stepping down sparked wild celebrations across the country.

It came in the form of a letter read out in parliament, abruptly halting impeachment proceedings against him.

He had been under pressure since the military took control of the country a week before.

The first rumours that something was afoot started to spread when military vehicles were spotted on roads leading to Harare. Later that day, soldiers seized the headquarters of Zimbabwe's national broadcaster ZBC and explosions and gunfire were heard.

On Thursday, Mr Mugabe was pictured taking part in talks with Gen Constantino Chiwenga and South African government ministers at State House and on Friday, the president gave out degrees at a university of which he is chancellor.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of Zimbabweans took to the streets of Harare to urge Mr Mugabe to go. The demonstration was led by veterans of the country's war of independence, who last year turned against him.

‘We need fairness not corruption’

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Media caption"We need fairness not corruption"

On Sunday, Zanu-PF sacked Mr Mugabe as its leader and two days later he resigned as president.

In his letter, Mr Mugabe said he was resigning to allow a smooth and peaceful transfer of power, and that his decision was voluntary.

Will the change be good for the economy?

Zimbabwe's economy is in a very bad state. It has not recovered fully from crises in the last decade, when rampant inflation grew so bad the country had to abandon its own currency. Now, according to some estimates, 90% of people there are unemployed.

Mr Mnangagwa has pledged to create jobs. "We want to grow our economy, we want peace, we want jobs, jobs, jobs," he told cheering crowds in Harare.

Zimbabwe's main industrial index has slumped by 40% since last week's military intervention. The stock market has shed $6bn (£4.5bn) in a week.

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Analysts say the market is now correcting itself, optimistic of a change of economic policy under Mr Mnangagwa.

However, the International Monetary Fund has warned that Zimbabwe must act quickly to dig its economy out of a hole and access international financial aid.

In his speech, Mr Mnangagwa said he would base a new economic policy on agriculture and foreign direct investment.

What comes next politically?

On Thursday, Zimbabwe's main opposition MDC party called for deep-rooted political reform to dismantle the repressive apparatus that sustained Mr Mugabe's regime.

Media captionLeader of the opposition MDC party, Morgan Tsvangirai, warns of a "power retention agenda"

"As MDC, we are saying, after so many years of Zanu-PF misrule, the first thing that needs to be transformed is the culture. The culture of violence, the culture of corruption. We need to change that culture," MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said.

"And for President Mnangagwa, he must realise that it is not an easy walk in the park."

It is unclear whether Zanu-PF will govern alone ahead of scheduled elections next year, or whether a coalition government of national unity that includes opposition groups will be formed.

Mr Mnangagwa confirmed in his speech that elections would be held as planned.