LAHORE, Pakistan, March 14 (UPI) -- The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Monday it is up to the court trying CIA operative Raymond Davis to decide whether he has immunity.
At a hearing in Punjab High Court in Lahore, Deputy Attorney General Naveed Inayat Malik said Davis has a diplomatic passport and work visa, but there is no record that he is entitled to immunity.
The high court referred the question to the trial court, which will meet Wednesday, The New York Times reported.
The move may be bad news for Davis, who is accused of murder for killing two Pakistanis at a traffic light in Lahore Jan. 27. He claims self-defense.
Pakistan apparently has been trying to slow the case down until public anger over the shootings cools.
The U.S. government insists Davis, who it admits is a CIA contractor, has immunity. He refused to sign a paper stating the charges against him.
Many elements in Pakistan are demanding Davis's head, and the military is using the uproar to resist U.S. pressure to fight Muslim extremists.
Pakistani security forces have increased surveillance of American vehicles and officials.
