The legal issues around Raymond Davis.
The New York Times clarifies the legal issues involved:
If Mr. Davis was listed as a technical staff member for the embassyâ??s diplomatic mission, then he would be covered by a 1961 treaty that gives diplomats total immunity to criminal prosecution. In that case, Pakistan should be allowed only to expel him. Victimsâ?? families, however, might still be able to sue him for civil damages.But if Mr. Davis were instead listed as a staff member for the consulate in Lahore, then he would be covered by a 1963 treaty that governs the rights of consular officials and that allows host countries to prosecute them if they commit a â??grave crime.â?
The longer this drags on, the more difficult it becomes for Zardari's government to extricate itself from the domestic firestorm this case has created.
