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CNN Live At Daybreak

Pakistani Investigators Look at New Suspects in Pearl Case

Aired February 04, 2002 - 06:02   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: OK, more on Daniel Pearl now. The "Wall Street Journal" is asking the Pakistani kidnappers of Pearl to provide a picture of the reporter to prove he is still alive.

CNN's Ben Wedeman reports from Karachi that investigators are now looking at new suspects in the case.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pakistani police have expanded their search for kidnapped "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl, while hard-line Islamic groups are still considered to be the prime suspects in the kidnapping. The police here have now begun to look at possible involvement by Karachi's extensive criminal underworld.

And while Pakistan's home secretary tells CNN he believes that Pearl is somewhere in or around Karachi, the investigation has now been extended to other parts of the country. Now no verifiable message has been received from the kidnappers since last Wednesday. That was when international and Pakistani news organizations received e-mails containing a photograph of Pearl.

And after a spade of bogus e-mails reporting to come from the kidnappers, Karachi police now say they will consider all e-mails that do not contain photographs of Pearl to be fakes. Early Monday morning there were reports that a body had been found by the side of a road in Karachi. A spokesman for the "Wall Street Journal" later said the body was not that of Pearl's and said the paper believes Pearl is still alive. The spokesman went on to call on the kidnappers to resume communications and to provide a photograph of their captive.

I'm Ben Wedeman, CNN, reporting from Karachi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And here in the United States at the request of Pearl's father, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan renewed his appeal for the release of Pearl. In an interview on CNN, Farrakhan says kidnapping Pearl is against the teaching of Islam.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOUIS FARRAKHAN, NATION OF ISLAM: All we can say is that we hope that those who have him in captivity will look at CNN and find a way in their heart to follow the dictates of the Koran. The Koran has in it guidance for every aspect and circumstance of life for a Muslim right up to the day of judgment. Therefore, it guides us in how to treat prisoners of war and non-combatants. From what I understand, Mr. Pearl is a journalist, not a combatant.

He is an American citizen, and if there is hatred toward America and you snatch an American citizen and then execute him, how does this aid the cause of Islam? I believe it does not aid the cause of Islam, and it creates more hatred for Muslims, not only in America, but in different parts of the world. And this is why we urge the immediate release of Mr. Pearl.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Farrakhan says he is considering a more direct appeal to the kidnappers in Pakistan adding he may actually go to that region.

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