Bin Laden info:

Doctor faces treason case

A Pakistani commission investigating the US raid which killed Osama bin Laden on Thursday said a doctor who helped US intelligence track the Al-Qaeda chief should be tried for treason. The commission probing how bin Laden lived undetected for years in Pakistan also said it had lifted travel restrictions on the Al-Qaeda leader's family after taking statements and investigating his widows and daughters.

The commission said a case of treason should be brought against government surgeon Shakeel Afridi whom security officials believe may have known about bin Laden's presence and shared the information with US intelligence agents.

The discovery that bin Laden lived in the garrison town of Abbottabad, seemingly for five years.

Afridi is being questioned over a free vaccination campaign he reportedly launched in March-April in the bin Ladens' neighbourhood.

"In view of the record and evidence placed before the commission in relation to Dr. Shakeel Afridi, the commission is of the view that prima facie, a case of conspiracy against the state of Pakistan and high treason is made out against him," the commission said in a statement. "Therefore, a case under relevant law should be registered against Dr. Shakeel Afridi and he should be proceeded in accordance with law." The commission however lifted travel restrictions on bin Laden's family.

It said: "they are no more required to the commission. Consequently, restraining order may be treated as withdrawn to the extent of bin Laden's family." AFP