British arms dealer gets life for Indian terror plot
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Peter Bleach, a small-time British arms dealer on trial in Calcutta for dropping weapons over West Bengal four years ago, was sentenced to life imprisonment yesterday.
Peter Bleach, a small-time British arms dealer on trial in Calcutta for dropping weapons over West Bengal four years ago, was sentenced to life imprisonment yesterday.
The five-man Latvian crew of the aircraft from which theequipment was parachuted on to property belonging to Ananda Marg, an obscure Hindu sect locked in bitter conflict with the communist government of West Bengal, received the same sentence. Bleach, who represented himself duringthe trial, told the crowded courtroom that he intendedto appeal. "I have respect for the Indian judicial system," he said, "but I cannot understand how a court can pass such a judgment."
There have been persistent rumours that the judge in the case, Justice P K Biswas, has been under pressure from the West Bengal government to return a guilty verdict quickly.
Bleach, 47, from Yorkshire, a former lance corporal in the intelligence corps, told the British intelligence services when he was first approached and claimed he only took part in the drop because he was under the impression he was involved in an officially sanctioned "sting" operation to uncover a terrorist plot.
British military intelligence agrees that Bleach told it of the plan to deliver the arms, but says it told him in strong terms not to get involved.
He and the crew were arrested in Bombay in December 1995 when Indian Air Force planes forced their cargo aircraft to land. Several days earlier the aircraft had dropped the crates containing munitions worth about £220,000, including 300 rifles, 10 rocket launchers, 100 anti-tank grenades and other military goods over Purulia in West Bengal.
Bleach and his Latvian co-accused, who also intend to appeal against their conviction, have been in custody since their arrest.
Judicial sources said yesterday that offenders sentenced to life in India may appeal for clemency after 14 years, and may thereupon be released. But given the glacial pace of Indian justice, they may already have served that length of time before they exhaust the appeal process.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments