ATC refuses to summon Marianne in Pearl case
HYDERABAD- The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Hyderabad, holding trial of the Daniel Pearl kidnapping and murder case, on Thursday rejected an application of a defence lawyer for summoning Marianne Pearl, the wife of Daniel Pearl.
Sindh Advocate-General (AG) Raja Qureshi told reporters that Abdul Waheed Katpar, the counsel of the prime accused Shaikh Umar had filed an application on June 10, requesting the court to summon Pearl’s wife Marianne for her statement.
The AG Sindh said that he put forward the argument that the ATC did not have jurisdiction to call any foreigner.
Barrister Jameel, counsel for Marianne Pearl informed the court that his client had refused to come to Pakistan, thus, she could not be summoned, because she is a French national and Pakistan did not have any treaty with France to this effect.
The defence counsel of four jailed accused, Rai Bashir informed the journalists that he argued before the court that it was the discretion of the court to summon anyone, if it considered necessary.
Rai Bashir told journalists that the AG Sindh gave reference to Article 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was about the powers of the judge with regard to summoning of witness. He said Thursday’s proceedings were shorter and added that after the cross-examination of the last witness, the defence witnesses would be testified and cross-examined.
Regarding the Pearl video, Rai Bashir said that the copy of the Sindh High Court (SHC) judgment had been submitted to the judge. The court observed that after making proper security arrangements, the videotape would be copied and would be given to defence counsel on Friday morning. To a question, Advocate-General Raja Qureshi denied any plans to challenge the SHC judgment, regarding Pearl video.
Source: The News
Date:6/14/2002
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