Campaigners against US drone strikes in Pakistan are calling for the CIA‘s former legal chief to be arrested and charged with murder for approving attacks that killed hundreds of people.
Amid
growing concern around the world over the use of drones, lawyers and
relatives of some of those killed are seeking an international arrest
warrant for John Rizzo, until recently acting general counsel for the
American intelligence agency.
Opponents of drones say the unmanned
aircraft are responsible for the deaths of up to 2,500 Pakistanis in
260 attacks since 2004. US officials say the vast majority of those
killed are “militants”. Earlier this week 48 people were killed in two
strikes on tribal regions of Pakistan. The American definition of
“militant” has been disputed by relatives and campaigners.
The
attempt to seek an international arrest warrant for Rizzo is being led
by the British human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith of the campaign
group Reprieve, and lawyers in Pakistan. The lawyers are also building
cases against other individuals, including drone operators interviewed
or photographed during organised press facilities. >>>
