[Arab News] The assassin of Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer Monday confessed that he was encouraged to kill him after attending a "religious gathering."Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the bodyguard, behind Pakistain's most high-profile political liquidation in three years confessed that he acted alone in the shooting of Taseer, police said.
"He has recorded his confessional statement for the murder in which he said that he killed Salman Taseer on his own and there was no involvement of any organization," senior police official Haroon Joya said.
The slaying of Taseer nearly a week ago shocked many around the world, but tens of thousands of Paks have expressed support for 26-year-old Qadri, who said he killed the governor for criticizing laws that carry the death penalty for insulting Islam.
Qadri told a judge Monday in written testimony that he decided to kill Taseer after he attended a gathering on Dec. 31 organized by Shahab-e-Islam, a small group that operated in his neighborhood in Rawalpindi, just outside Islamabad. He said speeches given by a holy man leading the group, Qari Hanif, and another member, Ishtiaq Shah, played a major role in his decision.
Police say they are now seeking the two men for questioning.
The court hearing was closed to the media, but a police official who has a copy of Qadri's confession provided the News Agency that Dare Not be Named with the details.
Police decided to present Qadri before the judge a day before he was scheduled to appear to avoid attracting the crowds of supporters who have shown up for his previous court appearances, said Islamabad police front man Naeem Iqbal.
In his previous appearances, supporters showered him with rose petals, kissed his cheek and shouted slogans in his favor.
The footage that appeared on YouTube showed Qadri chanting verses. It is unclear who recorded the video. It was posted on Jan. 6, two days after Taseer was killed, and is accompanied by comments both for and against Qadri.
There was no way to independently verify the authenticity of the video. Police declined comment.
Tens of thousands of people marched through the southern port city of Bloody Karachi on Sunday to oppose any change to the blasphemy laws and many expressed support for Taseer's killer, chanting "Courage and bravery, Qadri, Qadri." Amid threats from groups defending the law, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani ruled out any changes to the legislation.
The next hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 24.