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ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has started the process to put a US diplomat on the Exit Control List (ECL), sources told Dawn.
Inspector General of Police Dr Sultan Azam Temuri told Dawn that a written request was sent to the ministry on Monday seeking the name of the American diplomat on the ECL.
The capital police informed the ministry that the diplomat was booked on criminal charges, including murder by mistake or rash or negligent driving. The presence of the diplomat is necessary for investigation.
The director general Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also confirmed that arrangements were made to prevent the diplomat from leaving the country, Dr Temuri stated.
The diplomat has a valid licence issued by the Islamabad Traffic Police, the IGP stated. The police were considering canceling the licence and a directive in this regard would be issued to the ITP, he said.
US Defence and Air Attaché Col Joseph Emanuel Hall on Saturday jumped a red signal at Damn-i-Koh Chowk and hit a motorcycle. As a result, two motorcycle riders suffered injuries and later one of them – Atiq Baig – died.
The pillion rider, Raheel Ahmed, suffered multiple injuries, including fractures. He was being treated at a hospital.
A CCTV footage of the Safe City Project showed that the diplomat drove a white Land Cruiser at a high speed and violated the red signal and hit the motorcycle, the police stated, adding the footage also showed that the diplomat neither applied break nor tried to save the motorcyclists.
Sources in the immigration department on condition of anonymity said, “so far the US diplomat has not left the country.”
Subdivisional Police Officer Secretariat ASP Zohaib Nasarullah Ranjha told Dawn that the US diplomat had made an attempt to travel abroad on a Middle East-bound Qatar Airways flight. He reached the airport at 4am on Sunday but left after seeing officials of the capital police there, he added.
Investigating officer of the case, Inspector Arshad Ali, from the homicide unit said the investigation of the case was being finalsed. The investigators have so far collected statements of eyewitnesses, the injured victim and the accused, he added.
The police are waiting for the medico-legal report of the deceased and the injured to finalise the investigation and challan, the IO stated.
Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2018
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Comments (84) Closed
Apr 10, 2018 08:58am
Let see. If we be able to handle this upcoming pressure.
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Apr 10, 2018 08:58am
Stand up once, show some spine.
Let the merits of the case be the deciding factor and not just use it as a bargaining chip.
Someone’s son died.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:02am
How dare they try to put our embassy's man's name on their ECL trying to stop him from leaving their country for killing their citizen in an accident? Aren't we above their laws? Don't we have the right to break their laws as and when we deem fit? We are supreme to all laws of the world and they don't apply to the American citizens under any circumstances. Tell them that we will stop issuing visas to their countrymen if they as much as touch our man. They must remove his name from the FIR registered. They can put which ever name they like in its place other than any of our citizens.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:07am
Yeah, right, good luck with that!!!
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Apr 10, 2018 09:14am
Hilarious, how can they follow the law when they couldnt do it at the time of Raymond davis case? Its hilarious !!! Would love to see them coming down to their knees.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:21am
What are they waiting for? For him to leave the country first?
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Apr 10, 2018 09:25am
despite his name on the ecl he can escape like raymond davis because the US ambassador will travel with him
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Apr 10, 2018 09:28am
RIP poor souls! some one is trying to cash in for to prove the worth.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:35am
unless it is intentional, the govt should follow standard protocol of diplomacy
our own upper class gets away with a lot more
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Apr 10, 2018 09:35am
This will be a Raymond Davis replay. Process couldn't be completed like Nawaz Family's.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:38am
Don't waste time trying to put him in jail, we all know it won't happen. Instead try to give compensation for the family and a job to one of the family member.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:39am
We all still remember what happened to Raymond Davis
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Apr 10, 2018 09:48am
Its eye wash. A little pressure from US and that american will leave. We should never think our government values its citizens more than dollars. Never...
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Apr 10, 2018 09:48am
He will escape before the process will be completed.Pleaae show the nation some dignity.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:49am
So eager to make a self goal.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:50am
Diplometic immunity is licence to kill anyone...
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Apr 10, 2018 09:56am
if any pakistani or any muslim country diplomat did like this accident
all western as well our pakistani media will cry that a Muslim has been did terror attack on American citizen
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Apr 10, 2018 09:58am
The American in questain is a member of US Diplomatic corp. Therefore, enjoys absolute immunity under Geneva Convention for Diplomatic relations. Therefore, he is immune from civil and military jurisdiction. Putting him under ECL exit control list would be a violatin of international law.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:01am
The video doesn't represent any rash driving. infact, whose mistake was it. The car seems to be breaking just before the motorbike appears in the footage. Our perhaps the car drives has jumped a red light or violated any other traffic law at that particular point OR it is the other way around as biker in Pakistan are out of control at anywhere on roads. Whomever is wrong in this grave situation, I hope justice will prevail which is not likely in Pakistan.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:09am
Has anyone seen the clip of accident? Can anyone tell who was driving rash? What was the speed of each vehicle prior accident?
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Apr 10, 2018 10:18am
Good, Let the US feel the heat !
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Apr 10, 2018 10:26am
Amb Maleeha Lodhi should also raise this issue before the UN. There should be no turning back now by the police or this matter will turn out into another shameful Raymond Davis episode for the entire nation.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:27am
He has already left probably
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Apr 10, 2018 10:32am
Article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:. Diplomats must not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. They are immune from civil or criminal prosecution, though the sending country may waive this right under Article 32. Under Article 34, they are exempt from most taxes, and under Article 36 they are exempt from most customs duties
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Apr 10, 2018 10:32am
Set an exaple this time. We can not have foreign nationals breaking Pakistani laws and then free the country.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:33am
Another Raymond Davis ..... nothing will happen..
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Apr 10, 2018 10:35am
We will stop aid, stop visas, let our diplomat move freely. How dare you. I am sure this will happen or at most the poor victims family be pressurised to withdraw. Shame on our leaders and us. A soul of a Pakistani is so cheap to sell. A young boy has died, justice need to be done or otherwise live and eat like slaves.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:41am
Test case for govt. For another Raymond Davis. So far this govt have failed let is see.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:49am
should not "touch" that untouchables,if we can not hanlde the pressure at the end.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:01am
More troubles likely to come from US authorities.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:07am
No government can put any diplomat on an exit control list.
Pakistani diplomats living in America can be searched ( as was our PM done, stripped completely) in his last visit to the Mighty USA.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:16am
Good move. Hope he is not let scot-free like Raymond Davis by our politicians. It is a serious offence and he must be imprisoned for the murder of an innocent man.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:25am
There must be no more Raymond Davis scandals. These diplomats are brainwashed before they come here. "No problem, if you kill Pakistanis. You will get off without any hassles. No problemo!" They come here with hatred in their eyes and ice in their hearts.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:28am
And what about chinese engineer?
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Apr 10, 2018 11:29am
Can't we learn from this tragedy ? If rider and companion had worn safety helmets loss of life and injury may have been prevented.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:37am
My understanding is that it was a road accident. But most of the comments appear to be based on the assumption that it was a pre-meditated murder. How may people get killed in the roads of Pakistan and India. Do they all charged with murder? Law should be applied as the crime demands. Not for other consideration. Many people react irrationally because of their issue with US.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:37am
Diplomats cannot be touched, only expelled.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:41am
Americans are rude and arrogant need proper handling...
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Apr 10, 2018 11:45am
Law of the land, at least we should have given importance to just one thing, the situation would have been very different.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:50am
This arrogant so called us diplomat should spend a long time in a Pakistani Jail for killing an innocent Pakistani citizen. His name should be put on ECL before it's too late. This time Pakistani nation don't want to see another Raymond Davis escaping from due punishment. The blood of innocent Pakistanis should not be cheaper than water.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:58am
Remember Raymond Davis and what happened to Shah Mehmood Qureishi the high flying foreign minister of pakistan that time. Best is try to extract as much compensation for the dead and injured man. You cannot put him in jail as per vienna convention. You do that and pakistani diplomats around world will find themselves in jail.
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Apr 10, 2018 12:02pm
A precious young life is lost but what if the same accident happened with pakistani driver will there be same outrage?
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Apr 10, 2018 12:08pm
Finally something which makes us feel that the country stands for her citizens.
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Apr 10, 2018 12:16pm
Let the due process take its course. Sounds to me like an involuntary manslaughter case but let the judge decide. Since he is a diplomat he will probably be allowed to pay some sort of fine/compensation and kicked out of the country, I guess.
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Apr 10, 2018 12:19pm
Why was no reaction from Pakistanis when Nawaz Sharif convey runned down a small boy in Lalamusa was anybody held accountable for that case, Pakistan first need to arrest their own leaders who kill poor people at will, if it was an accident Pakistan should not make a big deal and US should compensate family generously for lifelong loss of earning and emotional distress on family
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Apr 10, 2018 12:30pm
The man has diplomatic immunity.
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Apr 10, 2018 12:35pm
This will be foolish.
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Apr 10, 2018 12:41pm
My dear Pakistani brothers, don't let him leave the country. He should get the punishment of ruining the life of a family. Punish him under the law, show the world that you care for your countrymen. Me as an Indian is with you all.
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Apr 10, 2018 12:49pm
Good luck!
As soon as you do that, US will slap some sanctions on Pakistan and these diplomats would be on the next flight out!
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Apr 10, 2018 12:55pm
Remember Raymond Davis ?
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Apr 10, 2018 12:58pm
The term immunity has to be defined because we have witnessed the abuse of it. it is not a licence to kill innocent people at all.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:02pm
@Nikhil Either you are ignorant of international laws or deliberately provoking pakistanis to make some stupid move. This guy has clear cut diplomatic immunity. Raymond Davis was a contractor and had no such immunity that is why pakistan could keep him in jail for some time. In his case immunity was fabricated after incident.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:03pm
@Hadi Someone? Who?
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Apr 10, 2018 01:03pm
@bk Are you related?
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Apr 10, 2018 01:04pm
Like previous similar incidents, nothing will happen, as PML-N government doesn't want to upset US and likely to use this incident in their favour. In the end, the diplomat will be sent home without a charge, as a free man!
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Apr 10, 2018 01:04pm
@Naveed Abrar agree with you.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:04pm
@asim Exactly
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Apr 10, 2018 01:25pm
Trump is not Obama.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:31pm
Everyone knows how this will end.....so why waste time and insult the intelligence of the common person.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:36pm
@SkyHawk Spending long time in Pakistan jail is horrible punishment than death sentence.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:40pm
Many years ago a promising diplomat from Georgia stationed in the United States driving while intoxicated killed a little girl around DuPont Circle in Washington DC.There was huge public outcry against this criminal act. Georgia withdrew Diplomatic Immunity for that diplomat. He was tried as an ordinary citizen and sentenced to jail for 6 years.( I hope I remember the figure well). He served some jail time in the United States and then was extradited to Georgia to serve the remainder of the sentence. I do not expect the United States to withdraw diplomatic immunity for the offender in this case. However, I plead to the U. S. diplomatic personnel to be sensitive to the local concerns and drive carefully. I also hope that the victim's heirs and the injured person are compensated well.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:42pm
Easier said than done!
Who are we kidding? We let Americans go, even when they shoot Pakistani citizens on the streets of Lahore in broad day light. We entertain and bow to Arab rulers, even when they come to Pakistan to hund endangered species and rare birds. - while being cruel to Pakistanis in the Gulf, imprisoned, denied access to lawyers, family or counserls for months and years without trial.
Does anyone really expect Pakistani government to stand up to the only Super Power? Then force them to hand over Haqqani and we will not put the names of these diplomats on ECL. Fair trade!
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Apr 10, 2018 01:47pm
Take your time, the offender is already out of the country.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:51pm
He has diplomatic immunity.Nothing can be done until the US State department withdraws his diplomatic immunity.The cases against him have no value because he can't be prosecuted under Pakistani Law because of his diplomatic immunity.I can't understand why people can't grasp the concept of diplomatic immunity.
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Apr 10, 2018 01:54pm
@Salman The issue with Raymond Davis was that he was a CIA contractor and had no diplomatic immunity. Thats why he was arrested.The Air Attaché Col Joseph Emanuel Hall has full diplomatic immunity and can't be prosecuted under Pakistani Law.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:06pm
This American Colonel should be punished to the maximum extent of law in Pakistan because that's what they do when a Pakistani commits a crime on their soil. This time our bureaucrats should prove that dollars can no more buy anything.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:09pm
The diplomat will be put on ECL as soon as Interior Ministry is assured that he has left the Country.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:14pm
Two points to remember. First this man whom we all hate does have immunity from Pakistani laws due to being a foreign embassy staff. Second even if he didn't have that immunity like Raymond Davis didn't even then he would got away from the punishment by a Pakistani court due to diyat law (like Raymond Davis).
So no points in dreaming about him getting punished. It is unfortunate.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:17pm
Hard one, I think he may have left already...
Remeber Raymannd Davis
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Apr 10, 2018 02:18pm
Nothing will happen just pay blood money to relatives of victim. Case over. Proceed to next step!
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Apr 10, 2018 02:21pm
He is an American Citizen, Military Attach'e, these are enough merits for him to get away anyting in a country lke Pakistan. We all remember the incident in which a MPA ran over a Traffic Policeman. IN Paksitan law is no meant for rich and powerful.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:40pm
He has diplomatic immunity. No one can touch him.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:44pm
meantime he will escape
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Apr 10, 2018 02:49pm
@salman You are missing the point.
ECL is like a no-fly list. Anyone on ECL cannot leave the country. Does not mean they will be detained, arrested or prosecuted. Diplomatic Immunity is enjoyed by foreign diplomats abroad meas they cannot be taken to court and prosecuted for the alleged crime on foreign soil. ECL only prevents him from leaving Pakistan, not punished or tried for a crime.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:44pm
@Patriot Pakistani Please tell me how can he prosecuted under Pakistani Law when he has diplomatic immunity.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:47pm
@ABE This has nothing to do about bowing to anybody.He enjoys diplomatic and can't be prosecuted under Pakistani Law.Same is the case with any diplomat in the world.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:59pm
This is a challenging test case for the "movers and shakers" in Islamabad led by the two corrupt bald brothers and their cunning and crooked cronies.
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Apr 11, 2018 04:08am
Also, he was trying to flee the country!!!
Get him!
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Apr 11, 2018 05:07pm
The process should have been completed by now.
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Apr 11, 2018 06:40pm
Its most unfortunate that the American diplomat did not stop at "red" traffic light and hit an oncoming motor cyclist, who was killed. The diplomat has immunity so putting his name on ECL is meaningless. One is reminded of Raymond Davis case when he crushed two motor cyclists in Lahore. He was released but compensation was paid.
One would ask, what would happen in USA if an American jumps red light and kills oncoming motor cyclist? He would be arrested by police and the court would punish the driver. Since that can't be done with a diplomat, the only solution is for US Embassy to pay compensation to the victim's family. Other diplomats should learn from this tragic accident as an innocent life was lost.
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Apr 11, 2018 11:51pm
He will get away. Will pay QASAS to the bereaved family like Raymond Davis.
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Apr 12, 2018 01:16am
Do not think Pakistan can do anything here. They have to let him go by taking money.
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Apr 12, 2018 04:46am
I work with him and he is a great guy. Sometimes mistakes happen. I’m sure he will get flown out of the country at some point. Nothing will happen to my good friend.
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Apr 12, 2018 07:43am
Its just an accident, and accidents happen all the time and people do get killed, he didn't kill intentionally. You have to prove reckless driving, and crossing a red light has financial penalty at the most. This talk of ECL doesn't make sense. Moreover motor cyclist in Pakistan ride erratically not observing rules of the roads.
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