This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52130557
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Daniel Pearl: Pakistan overturns convicted man's death sentence | Daniel Pearl: Pakistan overturns convicted man's death sentence |
(32 minutes later) | |
Pakistan has overturned the death sentence of the man convicted of killing US journalist Daniel Pearl, defence lawyers have told reporters. | |
British-born Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who has been in prison since 2002, has had his sentence reduced to seven years, said lawyer Khawaja Naveed. | |
Three other men given life sentences over the killing have been acquitted by the Sindh High Court and released. | Three other men given life sentences over the killing have been acquitted by the Sindh High Court and released. |
Pearl, who worked for the Wall Street Journal, went missing in January 2002. | |
He had been researching Islamist militant activity in Karachi in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US. | |
A month later, authorities said he had been killed after receiving video footage of his beheading. | A month later, authorities said he had been killed after receiving video footage of his beheading. |
Sheikh was convicted shortly afterwards by an anti-terrorism court, but there have long been questions over the case. | Sheikh was convicted shortly afterwards by an anti-terrorism court, but there have long been questions over the case. |
A group of US journalists, including former colleagues of Pearl, said in 2011 that they believed Sheikh had not carried out the beheading. | |
The Pearl Project alleged the beheading was carried out by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is being held in Guantanamo Bay, accused of being behind the 9/11 attacks. | |
Mr Naveed told Reuters on Thursday that the murder charges had not been proven, so his client's sentence had been reduced to seven years for the kidnapping. | |
"Omar has already served 18 years, so his release orders will be issued sometime today. He will be out in a few days," he said. |