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A-I bombing accused arrested while preparing to go to Pakistan

Ripudaman Singh Malik, one the men accused of murdering 329 people in the 1985 bombing of Air-India flight 182, was preparing to travel to Pakistan when he was arrested, according to his lawyer.

But, his lawyer, Terry La Liberte denied that his client was planning an escape. "Anybody that knows Malik knows he travels extensively," National Post newspaper quoted him as saying.

Vancouver businessman Malik, 53, and Ajaib Singh Bagri, 51, both accused in the case, made a brief appearance in British Columbia provincial court on Monday and Judge Jane Godfrey ordered both men to be held in jail until their next court appearance on November 30.

On Friday, Malik and Bagri were arrested and charged with eight counts, including first-degree murder in connection with the Air-India Flight 182 disaster off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985 in which 329 people died.

The charges also include the attempted sabotage of another Air-India flight heading to Bangkok. A bomb in baggage was to be loaded on that flight, but prematurely exploded in Tokyo's Narita airport, killing two baggage handlers.

La Liberte told the court that he would challenge the prosecution to give details of its case in a preliminary hearing.

PTI

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