Wife Of Chicago Terror Suspect Defends His Innocence
UPDATED 06/08/11 6:12 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Her husband is on trial, accused of supporting terrorists.
And now she's speaking out as a jury weighs the fate of Chicago businessman Tahawwur Rana.
Rana's wife talked to CBS 2's Derrick Blakley about the impact of the trial on their family and about the strongest proof that her husband is innocent.
Samraz Rana says the almost two years that her husband has been locked up has placed a terrible strain on her, her two daughters, and their son.
But she fully believes the federal government has failed to prove their terror case against her husband.
"No, not at all," she said.
Samraz Rana has watched every moment of her husband's three-week long trial.
Tahawwur Rana is charged with helping confessed terrorist David Headley plot and plan the 2008 siege in Mumbai, India that killed 164, including six Americans.
Samraz Rana said her husband had no idea that the attacks were about to take place, saying there were in India at the time.
That's the strongest evidence, she says, that her husband was in the dark.
If they knew attacks were coming, "we never would have gone to India. So that's the proof," she said.
Samraz Rana was asked what it was like for her on the day her husband was arrested.
"It was so shocking when they told us it was a case of terrorism or something," she said. "My husband is very straightforward. He's not hiding anything from any person."
Indeed, after his arrest, Rana openly talked to federal prosecutors for six hours before he was charged, steadfastly claiming his innocence.
"My kids, they are proud of their father," said Samraz Rana. "And it's really hard for me at this moment; that I'm doing all this alone. But hopefully I will be with him shortly.
The second day of jury deliberations begins tomorrow.
