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CNN Live At Daybreak

Four Suspects Charged Today in Kidnapping and Murder of Daniel Pearl

Aired March 22, 2002 - 05:06   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now onto Pakistan. Four suspects were charged today in the kidnapping and murder of "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl.

CNN Islamabad bureau chief Ash-Har Quraishi is covering the case and he joins us live with a report -- Ash-Har, what happened this morning?

ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, what we saw today was Ahmed Sheikh Omar Saeed, the suspected mastermind in the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl, arriving at the court amid heavy security. Some 300 officers on hand to guard the area as well as some 20 vehicles there.

Now, about a half hour after they arrived, they emerged from the court. The charges were read to us. Prosecutors saying that three charges filed against Ahmed Sheikh Omar Saeed. Also listed on that charge sheet, 11 other suspects, four of which, as you mentioned, are in custody right now. The other seven still at large.

The charges filed against them are kidnapping for ransom, murder, as well as acts of terror.

Now, as far as we understand it right now, evidence that was presented to the judge today, including that videotape of Daniel Pearl being murdered, also some statements made by Ahmed Sheikh Omar Saeed in which he said that he had kidnapped Daniel Pearl and other statements where he said that Daniel Pearl was dead.

Now, at this point the trial is set to begin one week from today and at which time we understand that some other charges may be filed. But right now Ahmed Sheikh Omar Saeed saying that he will defend himself in court, saying that he does not trust his lawyers.

Also coming out today, a list of the prosecution's witnesses. Included on that list, the widow of Daniel Pearl, Mariane Pearl, as well as a taxi driver who claims that he dropped off Daniel Pearl at the site where he was last seen, saying that he was picked up by Ahmed Omar Saeed at that location.

Also included on that list, FBI agents who were involved in the investigation.

At this point, though, the trial set to begin in one week in an anti-terrorist court here in Pakistan -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ash-Har, can you tell us the latest on the U.S. efforts to extradite Saeed Sheikh to the United States?

QURAISHI: Well, there are implications regarding extradition due to the charges that were filed today. Under Pakistani law, the fact is that no extradition can occur until the judicial proceedings have concluded. That includes sentencing. So if, in fact, Ahmed Sheikh Omar Saeed is sentenced, that sentence would have to be served out before any extradition to the United States could occur -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Also, the confession that Saeed Sheikh allegedly gave to Pakistani authorities. We know that it's not admissible. But can any part of it be admissible in the trial that's ongoing now?

QURAISHI: Prosecutors did address that question today. They say that that confession which was, according to the judge, was something that could be admissible but in what way we're not sure. That's up to the judge in the next hearing. They're calling this an extra-judicial confession because it was made while Saeed was not under oath. So it's something that we're going to have to look and see as to what the trial judge actually decides as to, in regards to that confession at this point -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Ash-Har Quraishi reporting live for us from Pakistan this morning, we thank you.

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