FBI and Canadian Police Warn Sikh Separatist of New Death Threat
On Tuesday, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist and the general counsel for Sikhs For Justice, revealed that both the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had alerted him to a serious threat against his life. The FBI had previously visited Pannun on August 12, advising him to refrain from traveling until the situation is addressed. The RCMP issued a warning on Tuesday, although specifics were not provided. Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Canada, mentioned that these alerts were made under the 'Duty to Warn' statute. This danger follows Nikhil Gupta’s guilty plea to conspiracy charges in February; he is set to be sentenced on November 20 for a 2023 assassination plot against Pannun orchestrated by an Indian government official, potentially facing a minimum of 20 years in prison. Despite the threats, Pannun remains 'unfazed.'
Key facts
- Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel for Sikhs For Justice, received warnings from FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police about a new credible death threat.
- FBI agents visited Pannun on August 12, advising him not to travel until the threat is resolved.
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned Pannun by telephone on Tuesday.
- Warnings were issued under the 'Duty to Warn' law in the United States.
- Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges in February for plotting to assassinate Pannun in 2023.
- Gupta is awaiting sentencing on November 20 in Manhattan federal court.
- FBI says Gupta was directed by an Indian government employee and communicated with an undercover officer posing as a hitman.
- Federal sentencing guidelines suggest Gupta could face at least two decades in prison.
Entities
Institutions
- Sikhs For Justice
- FBI
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Locations
- United States
- Canada
- India
- Manhattan