Militants accused of planning attack on U.S. Consulate

KARACHI, Pakistan -- Five suspected Islamic militants accused of orchestrating a devastating car bomb that killed 12 people outside the U.S. Consulate here told a judge Saturday police extracted their confessions by torture.

Denying responsibility for the bombing, the defendants told the judge they were being used as "scapegoats" to ingratiate Pakistan with the U.S. government. If convicted, they could be sentenced to death.

"We never gave any voluntary statements of confession," Mohammed Hanif said. "I was tortured, therefore this evidence should not be admissible."

Hanif said he was "made to sleep on a slab of ice" while in police custody.

Hanif's statement was endorsed by the other defendants: Mohammed Ashraf, Mohammed Irman, and Sharib and Mufti Zubair.

On June 14, a Suzuki pickup truck rammed into the consulate in the southern port city, killing 12 Pakistanis. The vehicle failed to penetrate the compound.

Hanif said their photographs had appeared in newspapers after their arrest, which should invalidate testimony earlier this month by prosecution witnesses who identified four of the five in a police lineup.

The witnesses said they saw the four climb out of the truck moments before it exploded.

The suspects also denied any link to the militant group Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen Al-Almi, which authorities say has links to the al-Qaida network.

"The allegations of prosecution are in fact a pack of lies," said defense attorney Abdul Waheed Katpar. "I am fully confident that all of the defendants will be freed."

The trial, held in a prison for greater security, was adjourned until April 7, when the prosecution will summarize its case. The defense said it has no witnesses to call.