AP sources: Pakistan likely to release US diplomat

[February 05, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pakistani officials are indicating that a U.S. diplomat charged with murder in Pakistan may soon be released.

Two Pakistani officials in the United States told The Associated Press on Friday they expect Davis to be free in days, once a Pakistani court goes over documents U.S. officials have submitted to prove his diplomatic status. The Pakistani officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. U.S. officials say Raymond Davis, who works at the consulate in Lahore, acted in self-defense in shooting and killing two armed men who approached him on the street after robbing someone else.

Publicly, Pakistani officials have avoided definitive statements on whether Davis qualifies for diplomatic immunity, saying his fate is up to the court. But the officials who spoke to AP said their government had to let the case proceed until the U.S. produced the necessary documents on Davis' status. They said Pakistani police believed the evidence supported Davis' story.

Davis was arrested soon after the Jan. 27 shootings. He made a brief appearance in court Thursday, and his next appearance is set for Feb. 11.

Besides the two men who were shot dead, a bystander was killed when he was struck by an American car rushing to the scene to help Davis.

[Associated Press; By KIMBERLY DOZIER]

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