Shahzad Waives Right to Speedy Arraignment
Pakistani-American national suspected in Times Square car bomb case Faisal Shahzad has surrendered his right to a speedy arraignment and is cooperating with officials in sharing information pertaining to the plot, reported PTI.
Shahzad was arrested at JFK International Airport on Monday night following a two-day hunt when he was about to leave for Dubai.
Hours after his arrest, as many as seven persons linked to him were taken into custody in Pakistan, where Shahzad is said to have received bomb-making training.
According to the New York Times, the revelation that Shahzad has waived his right to a speedy arraignment indicates that he is continually giving significant information, report said.
Shahzad is not likely to be produced in the court on Thursday. It may be mentioned that under law, a person arrested and charged with a federal crime must be brought before a judge and advised of his or her rights and the charges against them filed within a reasonable period of time – generally 24 hours or 48 hours. However, a defendant can waive that right.
Prosecution lawyer Indian-American Preet Bharara said yesterday that the dedicated agents, detectives and prosecutors in this case would continue to follow every lead and use every tool to keep the people of New York City safe.
He also vowed that ‘we will not rest until every terrorist, whether homegrown or foreign-based, is neutralised and held to account?’
