World

Mumbai gunman appeals against death sentence

10:24 am on 30 July 2011

The sole surviving gunman from the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai has lodged an appeal in the Indian Supreme Court against his death sentence.

The attack claimed 165 lives. Nine other gunmen were also killed.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, 23, was found guilty of waging war against India, multiple murder and conspiracy. He was sentenced to death in May last year.

In February, the high court in Mumbai rejected an appeal against the sentence. The BBC reports it is not clear when the Supreme Court would provide Qasab with legal aid and take up the appeal.

The siege began on 26 November 2008 and targeted luxury hotels, Mumbai's main railway station and a Jewish cultural centre. It lasted 60 hours.

India blamed the Lashkar-e-Taiba group in Pakistan for the attacks.

After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that the assault was partially planned on its territory and that Qasab was a Pakistani citizen.