Rana trial: Prosecutors want anonymous jury

Fearing “danger” from global terror groups and possible media “harassment”,US federal prosecutors want the jurors’ identities to remain anonymous in the trial of Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana,charged in connection with the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

“The jurors could have a reasonable fear they would be in danger if global terror groups learned their names,” The Chicago Sun-Times said,quoting a filing by prosecutors here last week. At a status hearing held on January 7,US District Judge Harry Leinenweber had moved the trial date for Rana,49,a Chicago-based businessman,from February 14 to May 16.

Prosecutors also said the foreign press — particularly Indian and Danish media — may provide extensive coverage of the trial,raising the chance that jurors’ names would become public and it could expose them to harassment,according to the paper.