Pearl suspect found in police custody
KARACHI- A key suspect in the kidnapping in Pakistan last year of American reporter Daniel Pearl has been found in police custody, his lawyer said on April 17, 2003.
Defence lawyer Khawaja Naveed said Fazal Karim was tracked down by his relatives after being held incommunicado by the police for the last eight months.
Naveed says police kept his client illegally because he might give evidence that would compromise the conviction last year of British-born Islamic militant Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh for Pearl’s murder.
Police had named Karim as a suspect and possible witness to Pearl’s murder, but consistently denied allegations he was already in their custody.
On April 17, 2003 they said they had arrested a man identifying himself as Karim two days ago for possessing illegal drugs.
“Police got hold of Fazal Karim in July, but never showed his arrest because it affected the trial,” Naveed said.
Omar Sheikh was sentenced to death last year for masterminding Pearl’s kidnap and murder, while three accomplices were given life imprisonment. A High Court appeal is pending.
Source: Dawn
Date:4/18/2003
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