The mastermind of Mumbai attacks Hafiz Saeed sentenced for terrorism financing

The Pakistani Islamist leader accused of masterminding the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks has been convicted and sentenced to prison.

Hafiz Saeed, 69, is the founder and former leader of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. He was arrested in July and was convicted and sentenced Wednesday on two terrorism financing counts. Although the total punishment was 11 years, Saeed’s lawyer told Reuters he would serve them concurrently and spend just five and a half years behind bars.

Saeed’s organization LeT is behind multiple attacks against the military and civilians in India, including the 2008 shootings and bombings in Mumbai that killed 166 people, including Americans, and wounded hundreds more.

The United States has pushed for Saeed to be convicted and for Pakistan to further crackdown on terrorist groups. In 2012, the U.S. lodged a $10 million bounty for Saeed’s arrest, but he continued to make public appearances afterwards, including addresses at anti-India rallies in Pakistan.

Wednesday’s conviction is significant as he has been detained a number of times before but never put on trial. President Trump hailed his capture after Saeed was arrested in July.

“After a ten year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai Terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!” Trump said over Twitter.

Source: Washington Examiner