Accused in Mumbai attacks, Fahim Ansari alleges police threat.

ISLAMABAD, 06 April , 2009 (Balochistan Times) --Fahim Ansari, accused in Mumbai terror attacks case, on Monday informed the trial court that he was threatened by police to change his lawyer or he would be booked separately in a hawala case. Ansari, who appeared before the court on television in a video conference, told Judge M L Tahilyani that police had asked him in jail to change his lawyer and instead hire an advocate from the state legal aid panel, Zeenews reported. They (police) had even gone to my house and threatened my wife to influence my decision to change the lawyer. She would come to the court today (Monday) to inform you sir, he said. Just as this conversation between the judge and the accused was going on, Ansaris wife in a burkha raised her hand to inform that she was present. The judge then told her that he would give her a hearing later and assured Ansari that he would look into the matter. Later, the judge heard Ansaris wife in-camera but did not pass any orders. Reporters were asked to leave the courtroom.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)