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CNN Live Today

Suspect in Daniel Pearl Case Could Face Indictments

Aired March 14, 2002 - 13:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We're awaiting the attorney general, John Ashcroft, to also come out any moment now at the justice department and make a statement. And we believe this surrounds an indictment handed down against the Omar Ahmed (sic) Saeed Sheikh. Back to Susan Candiotti in Washington who is watching this. More now relating to the death of Daniel Pearl. Susan, what have we learned?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Bill, we learned about this first thing this morning that this would be happening today, this afternoon. What must be encouraging news especially for the family of "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl.

A series of charges to be returned -- that were returned by a federal grand jury in New Jersey will be unveiled shortly in Washington against a key suspect in the case, as you noted, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. You will remember that he appeared in court in Pakistan again this week, afterwards shouting to onlookers, in his words, America will be finished soon.

Well, Attorney General John Ashcroft will be making this announcement soon, revealing charges against Saeed in two separate kidnapping cases, the kidnapping and death of Daniel Pearl, snatched in January in Pakistan. A videotape that shows his brutally-murdered body was revealed just last month.

The other kidnapping in which Saeed was allegedly involved happened back in 1994. Four Western tourists, including an American, were snatched. A grand jury in Washington charged Saeed last November in that 1994 case. The indictment sealed until today. A separate grand jury, as I noted, in New Jersey has been investigating Daniel Pearl's kidnapping and murder and that grand jury is returning another set of charges against Saeed. The "Wall Street Journal" has offices in New Jersey. That's why it's happening there. Also, because FBI agents from New Jersey have been investigating the Pearl case and interviewing witnesses in Pakistan, assisting the Pakistani authorities. Daniel Pearl's body and the murder weapon have not yet been recovered.

The sticking point here, of course, Bill, is going to be extradition. U.S. officials have had a number of meetings with the Pakistani government about this. The Pakistanis have said Saeed will be turned over once authorities there are through with him. But sources say that U.S. officials wanted to get on the record now with at least some charges against Saeed in hopes of extraditing him at some point -- Bill.

HEMMER: Yes, take that just a step further, Susan. If indeed there is no guarantee that Saeed will ever be extradited away from Pakistan to the U.S., what does this indictment serve? Is it somewhat of a signal sent over to Pakistan?

CANDIOTTI: Well, sure it is. You'll also recall that Osama bin Laden has been indicted in this country as well. Now, whether or not he is found and eventually returned to the United States is also a question. Nevertheless, it is not at all unusual for investigators, prosecutors in cases like these to return an indictment and get it on the record. Of course, these indictments, these charges could always be superceded at a later date when eventually the suspect in this case, the key suspect, Saeed, would be returned here for prosecution.

HEMMER: And this might be a little too inside, but the indictments coming out of Trenton, New Jersey, is that right?

CANDIOTTI: That's correct.

HEMMER: And the reason for that is?

CANDIOTTI: Because the "Wall Street Journal" has offices in that state and also because agents from New Jersey and from that district, that general area, have been assisting directly in this investigation in Pakistan.

HEMMER: All right. Susan, thank you for the update there and the news from Washington. Susan Candiotti working that story.

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