Briton accused of selling missile described as ‘clown’ by lawyer

NEWARK: A Briton charged with selling a shoulder-launched missile to terrorists for use in the United States, was described by his lawyer on Friday as “a joke, a clown” who was strung along by undercover agents in a case of entrapment. Defense lawyer Henry Klingeman portrayed Hemant Lakhani, 69, a British citizen born in India, as a failed businessman who “couldn’t finish a deal if his life depended on it.” Lakhani, arrested in August 2003 after a two-year international sting operation, was charged with trying to provide material support to terrorists, unlawful arms sales, smuggling and money laundering. He could face 25 years in prison. US District Judge Katharine Hayden scheduled the jury to begin deliberations on Tuesday. The trial, which began the first week of January, was held up for more than a month because of Lakhani’s health problems, including heart surgery. reuters

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