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Post |
| Nhuchche |
Posted
on 15-Dec-01 12:27 AM
Innocent plea given in O'Hare security breach
Published December 14, 2001
A man who is accused of breaching security at O'Hare International Airport last month by carrying seven knives past a checkpoint pleaded not guilty Thursday to a federal charge stemming from the incident.
"No, I am not guilty," defendant Subash Gurung told U.S. District Judge William Hibbler.
Later, though, Gurung expressed difficulty understanding the judge's explanation of certain constitutional rights. His lawyer, Piyush Chandra, pointed out an interpreter wasn't present as planned for the Nepal native and that Gurung was "having difficulty in concentrating." In addition, Chandra said his client has "mental difficulties."
Hibbler ordered the case back up Monday to make certain that Gurung has an interpreter and understands the proceedings.
Gurung, 27, who has no permanent address in Chicago, is charged with attempting to board a United Airlines flight to Omaha Nov. 3 while carrying the knives and a stun gun. He was able to pass through an X-ray machine at a security checkpoint without being detected, authorities said. United employees at the departure gate discovered the weapons.
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| SP |
Posted
on 15-Dec-01 12:41 PM
As a citizen of Nepal, as frequently mentioned when the case in question come up, is Gurung receiving any support from the Nepal Embassy at the Washington DC or from the UN Mission in New York? The least the Embassy or numerous mushrooming so called Nepali organizations in the US could provide is the services of an interpreter.
The lukewarm interest, continuing silence or no interest shown by the Embassy only gives credence to the view that the it would have been different situation had Subash's last name been not been from a janajati.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 16-Dec-01 04:25 AM
I was inclined to think the same too.
But based on some of my personal email correspondence (in November and December with Nepalis in America) re: Subash Gurung, I, as a Nepali, appreciate the help given to Subash by some Nepalis in the Chicago area, especially by Mr. S Thapa and his friends.
In Nepal too, I was heartened to find that a senior reporter of an English newspaper was/is working on Subash Gurung story. From what I understand, her aim seems to offer a balanced yet well-evidenced story of Subash Gurung.
So, take heart. Good Nepalis who persist against problems to help other Nepalis in trouble do exist. Just because their number is small does NOT mean that such Nepalis do not exist.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
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