An FBI agent, arrested on anti-terrorism charges here after 15 bullets and a pistol clip were recovered from him while he was trying to board a flight, was today granted bail by a Pakistani court.
A district and sessions court in Malir town granted bail to Joel Cox Eugene, setting the bond amount at 1 million Pakistani Rupees (USD 10,000).
Cox was arrested on Monday at the Jinnah International Airport after the security staff discovered 15 bullets of 9mm caliber and a pistol clip in his baggage as he was about to board a domestic flight to Islamabad.
He is facing charges of violating local anti-terrorism laws that prohibit carrying firearms or ammunition aboard commercial flights and are punishable by a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.
The US State Department confirmed that Cox was an FBI agent on a temporary assignment to Pakistan.
The Pakistan Foreign Office also said today that since Cox was not a member of the US diplomatic staff, he did not enjoy diplomatic immunity and would be treated like a citizen.
During interrogation, Cox claimed the bullets and other gadgets did not belong to him and that he was being framed, police sources said.
The devices seized from his possession include pen cameras and locater gadget. The bullets Cox was carrying are also said to be different than those found in Pakistan.
