| ashu |
Posted
on 11-Jan-02 02:16 AM
Dear all,
What follows is from Mr. Sharda Thapa in Chicago.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
**************************************
Chicago, IL
January 9, 2002
This is an update of the case of Subash Gurung. As time has moved on his case has faded from the media but he should not be forgotten. A spate of similar recent events clearly demonstrates that events like his are not as uncommon as they seemed and that the system is slowly learning to distinguish error and mental imbalance from genuine terrorism. We still hope that he will be cleared of any terrorist connections and the case dismissed.
Subash has been Federal detention since his arrest and initial appearance before the court in Chicago. This means that he may be at the Chicago facility or any one of a number of other locations as far as a hundred miles away. As you know, his attorney decided to forego the preliminary hearing because of the unlikely prospects of his being granted bail due to his visa status.
His arraignment was scheduled for December and after a number of attempts it was concluded on the 17th. The judge required a translator to be present because Subash's communication ability in English was not acceptable to the judge. We were able to get a friend to do it because I was considered ineligible. The status hearing was set for the 14th of January at 9:45 AM.
A psychiatrist has evaluated him while in detention and the report has been received for use by his defense. His attorney has also been gathering all the evidence that he can to convince the prosecution that Subash was only disorganized, forgetful and in a hurry. All indications are that what he did was based on this or instability and that Subash had no intentions of harming anyone. It will now be up to the court to verify this. Hopefully, it will be on the 14th.
His detention has been difficult for him and it shows in his appearance. I believe that his inability to communicate adequately in English to the judge's satisfaction is just one indication. His brothers have yet to visit with him. It appears that this took some time because of the authorities insistence that they comply strictly with the regulations for such detainees without exceptions.
At this time it appears there is not much that we can do but hope that his attorney's strategy works and he is released and sent back into the care of his parents in Nepal.
Thank you very much.
Sharda Thapa
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