LAHORE, Pakistan, March 14 (UPI) -- An American diplomat accused of murder in Pakistan was in the country on an official business visa, the deputy attorney general said in Lahore.
Deputy Attorney General Naveed Inayat Maliki made the announcement Monday after a court in Lahore said the status of Raymond Davis would be decided this week by a trial court.
"Raymond Davis came to Pakistan on an official business visa," he was quoted by Pakistan's Dawn newspaper as saying. "No attempt has been made to alter the official record ... the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not interfering in any way in investigations."
Davis remains jailed for the January shooting death of two Pakistani men that he claims were trying to rob him. Washington claims he is an embassy employee and is therefore protected by diplomatic immunity.
Media reports allege Davis was working with the CIA. Authorities in Pakistan claim they found a pistol, four loaded magazines and a small telescope in his car after his arrest.
Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry told reporters Monday that the "matter about immunity will be decided at the trial court."
U.S. Embassy officials in Islamabad said they were studying Monday's written judgment. A lower court takes up the criminal case Wednesday.
