An unidentified Pakistani official and police officers gather outside a house, where family members of slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, are believed to be held.—AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: A defense lawyer for Osama bin Laden's family says a Pakistani court is set to charge his clients with illegally entering and residing in the country.

Senior civil judge Shahrukh Arjumand heard the case at a house where bin Laden’s family is under detention.

Earlier the house was given the status of a sub-jail.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned till Apr 2.

The court gave the five women copies of the case and evidence against them.

The women have been in detention since last May when US marines killed bin Laden at his home in Abbotabad.

“The court issued orders to all the defendants to produce their arguments till the next hearing,” bin Laden’s family lawyer Aamir Khalil informed.

Zakaria al Sadah, the brother of bin Laden’s youngest wife attended the session with the permission of the court.

Amir Khalil said that the charges will be made against three of bin Laden's widows and two daughters when the hearing resumes on April 2.

Bin Laden and his wives were living with eight of their children and three employees.

It's unclear what will happen to the people who aren't charged.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...