RAWALPINDI, Dec 16 An anti-terrorism court here indicted on Wednesday a former MNA and another suspect for planning the kidnapping and killing a Polish geologist last year.

Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Samiul Haq group) and Attaullah Bangash were charged with planning the abduction of Polish geologist Piotr Stanczak and releasing the video of his beheading.

Both the accused pleaded not guilty and decided to contest the charges.

The court rejected an acquittal application of Maulana Aziz and directed the prosecution to produce witnesses on Jan 8, 2010.

Maulana Aziz, who belongs to Karak, is on bail while Attaullah of Kohat is in Adiala Jail.

Mr Stanczak was kidnapped on Sept 28 last year from the field camp of a Polish seismic survey company in Jand tehsil of Attock. The kidnappers killed Constable Muhammad Saleem, driver Inayatullah and his helper Muhammad Riaz. In February, the kidnappers released a seven-minute video showing the beheading of the geologist.

Police arrested Attaullah in Islamabad on July 15 during a search operation and seized three hand-grenades and 30 live SMG bullets.

Attaullah told investigators that Maulana Aziz had planned the kidnapping. The former legislator had demanded release of some Taliban leaders and payment of ransom in exchange of the Polish engineer.