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Pakistani court overturns murder convictions in killing of journalist Daniel Pearl Pakistani court overturns murder convictions in killing of journalist Daniel Pearl
(about 2 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A regional Pakistani court Thursday overturned the convictions of the men involved in the 2002 killing of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A regional Pakistani court Thursday overturned the murder conviction and death sentence of Omar Saeed Sheikh, the man convicted in the 2002 killing of U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl. The court also overturned the convictions of three other men connected to Pearl's death.
The ruling by two judges on the High Court of Sindh province can still be appealed to Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Prosecutor Faiz Shah said he would appeal the decision in Pakistan’s Supreme Court. All four men will remain in custody for at least 90 days on the grounds of “public safety,” according to a ruling issued by the Home Department of Sindh province.
“As per the court’s judgment, Omar Saeed Sheikh has been found guilty of kidnapping and not of murder,” said the defendants’ lawyer, Khawaja Naveed.
Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was kidnapped in January 2002 in Pakistan, where he was researching the connection between a radical Islamic preacher and Richard Reid, who attempted to blow up an airliner with explosives in his shoes.Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was kidnapped in January 2002 in Pakistan, where he was researching the connection between a radical Islamic preacher and Richard Reid, who attempted to blow up an airliner with explosives in his shoes.
The high-profile kidnapping and killing prompted outrage and put pressure on the Pakistani government to capture and prosecute the perpetrators. Saeed, a British-born Pakistani who was implicated in other kidnappings, had been sentenced to death for Pearl’s murder and kidnapping. The High Court of Sindh on Thursday overturned the murder conviction and downgraded the kidnapping charge, which carries a seven-year sentence.
Saeed, a British-born Pakistani who was implicated in other kidnappings, had been sentenced to death for Pearl’s murder and kidnapping. The court Thursday overturned the murder conviction and downgraded the kidnapping charge, which carries a seven-year sentence. Because Saeed has served 18 years, he could be eligible for release. Because Saeed has served 18 years, he is eligible for release, as are the other three men whose convictions were overturned: Fahad Naseem, a computer expert; Salman Saqib, a religious activist; and Sheikh Adil, a police officer.
The three other men convicted with Saeed — Fahad Naseem, a computer expert; Salman Saqib, a religious activist; and Sheikh Adil, a police officer — were ordered released by the court. The defendants’ lawyer, Khawaja Naveed, said the evidence against Saeed “was very weak” and could prove only kidnapping, not murder.
In a statement Thursday, the Wall Street Journal said: “We continue to seek justice for the murder of Daniel Pearl. Danny was a cherished colleague and we will always honor his memory and service.”In a statement Thursday, the Wall Street Journal said: “We continue to seek justice for the murder of Daniel Pearl. Danny was a cherished colleague and we will always honor his memory and service.”
Analysts say increased pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terrorist networks will probably trigger an appeal to the country’s Supreme Court. Pearl was told he was meeting with a radical cleric when instead he was kidnapped, held for days and beheaded. When Saeed was convicted months later, he was sentenced for planning Pearl’s kidnapping and murder.
Muhammad Amir Rana, an Islamabad-based security analyst, predicted the government would keep Saeed in custody during the appeals process because of the high-profile nature of the case. Rana said the government could argue Saeed’s release poses a threat to national security or bring additional charges against him. But a 2011 investigation by the Center for Public Integrity’s Pearl Project found that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed killed Pearl. Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003 and is being held at Guantánamo Bay. He is not charged in the journalist’s killing.
In January 2002, Pearl was told he was meeting with a radical cleric when instead he was kidnapped by militants organized by Saeed. According to the Center of Public Integrity’s Pearl Project, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed then took over the operation and filmed the beheading of Pearl for al-Qaeda propaganda purposes. Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003 and is now held at Guantánamo Bay. Pakistan was under immense pressure in 2002 to find the people responsible for Pearl’s killing. At the time of Saeed’s conviction, defense attorneys raised questions about the weight of evidence against him.
The murder has been seen as marking the beginning of a trend of militant groups targeting journalists in conflict zones. In 2014, the Islamic State filmed the beheadings of a number of its hostages, including journalist James Foley. The murder has been seen as marking the beginning of a trend of militant groups targeting journalists in conflict zones. In 2014, the Islamic State filmed the beheadings of several its hostages, including journalist James Foley.
Paul Schemm in Dubai and Susannah George in London contributed to this report. George reported from London. Paul Schemm in Dubai contributed to this report.
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