US President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the release of a US citizen and embassy worker who has been arrested and accused of a double murder in Pakistan, dpa reported.
Obama was weighing into a growing rift with its critical ally over the case of Raymond Davis, who was arrested January 27 after he allegedly shot and killed two motorcyclists in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore. Davis says he acted in self-defence.
Obama called on Pakistan to abide by an international convention that gives embassy personnel diplomatic immunity throughout the world. He warned that ignoring the convention would make the situation "untenable" for diplomats in all countries.
"We respect it with respect to diplomats who are here. We expect Pakistan ... to abide by the same convention," Obama told reporters at a press conference in Washington.
Davis said he shot the armed men as they were trying to rob him. Pakistani police last week said they did not believe Davis acted in self-defence and have come under public pressure to prosecute him. A court on Friday extended Davis' time in jail for 14 days.
Obama's comments came as US senator and former presidential candidate John Kerry was in Lahore in a bid to ease the tensions on both sides. Kerry expressed "sorrow" for the incident and had "come here to listen. I haven't come here to order anybody to do anything."
Obama said the United States was working with the Pakistani government to secure Davis' release, and also seemed to acknowledge the sensitivity of a case that has stoked public anger against the United States in Pakistan.
"Obviously, we're concerned about the loss of life. You know, we're not callous about that," Obama said. "But there's a broader principle at stake that I think we have to uphold."
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