United States outraged over Pakistan acquitting Daniel Pearl's killers
The White House has expressed outrage over the Pakistan Supreme Court's decISIon to acquit those involved in the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl in 2002, calling the judgment an "affront" to terrorism victims everywhere. Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal, was abducted and beheaded while he was in Pakistan investigating a story on the ISI and al-Qaeda.
The judgment was denounced by Pearl's family
Pakistan's SC on Thursday dismissed appeals against the acquittal of British-born al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh in the kidnapping and murder case of Pearl and ordered his release, a judgment denounced by the American journalist's family as "a complete travesty of justice."
US outraged by Pakistan's decision to affirm the acquittals
Sheikh and his three aides, Fahad Naseem, Sheikh Adil, and Salman Saqib, were convicted and sentenced in the abduction and murder case of Pearl in Karachi in 2002. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the US is outraged by Pakistan's decision to affirm the acquittals of the kidnappers and murderers of Pearl.
Tony Blinken issued a strongly worded statement to Pakistan
While recognizing Pakistan's previous actions to hold the guilty accountable, Psaki called on their government to expeditiously review its legal options including allowing the US to prosecute for the brutal murder of an American citizen and journalist. US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, in a strongly-worded statement, urged Pakistan to explore all legal options to ensure that Pearl's killers are brought to justice.
'US committed to securing justice for Pearl's family'
Blinken said that Sheikh was indicted in the US in 2002 for hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, resulting in the murder of Pearl, as well as the 1994 kidnapping of another United States citizen in India. "The United States is committed to securing justice for Pearl's family and holding terrorists accountable," he added.
Sheikh's three aides were also freed from life imprisonment
Pakistan Supreme Court ordered that three others, who had been sentenced to life in prison for their part in Pearl's kidnapping and death, also be freed. Ruth and Judea Pearl, the parents of Pearl, criticized the judgment that would endanger the lives of journalists everywhere, said Faisal Siddiqi, the Pearl family lawyer. Notably, the beheading of the American journalist had grabbed international headlines.
India released Sheikh three years prior to Pearl's murder
Pearl's murder took place three years after Sheikh, along with Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, was released by India in 1999 and given safe passage to Afghanistan in exchange for the nearly 150 passengers of hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814. He was serving a prison term in India for the kidnappings of Western tourists in the country.
Sheikh's death sentence was reduced to seven years imprisonment earlier
In April 2020, a two-judge Sindh HC bench commuted Sheikh's death sentence to seven years imprisonment and acquitted his three aides who were also serving life terms. The Sindh Government and Pearl's family filed petitions in the apex court challenging the HC verdict.
Washington asserted it will not allow Sheikh to evade justice
However, the US has been mounting pressure on Pakistan, demanding justice for Pearl. Last month, the US said it is ready to take custody of Sheikh, asserting that Washington will not allow him to evade justice. Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson said the US is deeply concerned by the Pakistani Supreme Court's ruling affirming the acquittal of individuals convicted by a Pakistani trial court.
Committee to Protect Journalist's Asia program coordinator deeply disappointed
"We are deeply disappointed that Pakistan's SC has acquitted and ordered the release of Sheikh, despite overwhelming evidence of Sheikh's involvement in the kidnapping of Daniel Pearl, which led directly to his murder," said Steven Butler, Committee to Protect Journalist's Asia program coordinator.
