BY MELISSA SIEGLER
STAFF WRITER
Man behind 2008 Mumbai terror attack released from Pakistani prison
On April 10, Pakistan released Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the man who was allegedly behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Lakhvi is said to be the operations leader for the terror group, Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to a Fox News article, he was released on the grounds that he was being held unlawfully in an Islamabad prison. Several countries including India, the United States and France are extremely concerned about this decision and Pakistan’s stance on terror. Lakhvi still faces the charges of the Mumbai attack, but he will remain free until the trial.
Germanwings pilot reportedly drugged before crash
The Germanwings co-pilot who intentionally crashed a plane in the Alps reportedly spiked the pilot’s drink with a diuretic in an attempt to get the pilot to leave him alone in the cockpit. A Fox News article indicated that the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, had researched diuretics online just days before the crash. However, this claim is still speculation since there is no evidence to suggest that Lubitz bought the drugs or brought them onboard the plane.
ISIS demands ransom for hundreds of Syrian Christians
ISIS is ransoming 250 to 300 Christian hostages in Syria for $100,000 each for a total of $30 million. A Fox News article indicated that third-party Syrian Sunni Muslims are mediating the deal between the militants and Assyrian leadership. Twenty-three hostages have previously been released since they were captured during the Feb. 23 attack in the province of al Hasakah. It is theorized that ISIS made the demand knowing that Syria could not afford the ransom in the hopes that other countries will assist financially.