Pakistani investigators have castigated Kenyan police for failing to produce one of the shooters involved in firing at renowned journalist Arshad Sharif.
According to international publications, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director-General Mohsin Hassan stated that they sought to interrogate four of the officers, but only three were produced.
According to Hassan, the Kenyan police alleged that the fourth officer was injured in the shooting incident.
"Our team wanted to interview all four shooters to record their statements but they produced only three shooters and told our team that the fourth shooter is injured and unable to be interviewed."
"The Kenya police told the Pakistani team that the shooter who cannot be produced for questioning is the one who was injured in the firing done from inside Arshad Sharif’s car,” the DG told The News.
Hassan pointed out that his team sought to assess the extent of the officer's injuries and evidence. According to Pakistani detectives, the Kenyan police were involved in a well-orchestrated scheme to kill the renowned journalist.
"We were not given access to the shooter, who had got his hand injured in the incident two weeks back. Not being given access to the shooter is against logic as this officer’s statement is important. The Kenya police have said he was injured in firing from Arshad Sharif’s car. Our team wanted to see his injuries and evidence,” he stated.
Two Pakistani investigators had inspected the vehicle in which Sharif was traveling but did not see any evidence of any firing from inside the car towards outside- as claimed by the Kenyan police.
This, according to Hassan, cast doubts on initial statements made by the National Police Service which alleged that shots were fired from inside the vehicle. Attempts by Pakistani police to be handed evidence to ascertain proof of firing from inside the car were futile.
The FIA Director General noted that the three Kenyan officers, who underwent an intense interrogation, maintained the same stance that Sharif was murdered in a case of mistaken identity.
Pakistani detectives seek to expedite investigations in a bid to close the case and serve justice for Sharif's family.
