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Judge convicts 4 Pearl slayers
©Associated Press
The verdict was handed down by Judge Ali Ashraf Shah in the heavily guarded jail where the trial was held, deputy defense lawyer Mohsin Imam said. The defense said the verdict will be appealed. Reporters were not allowed in the courtroom but were to be briefed afterward by court officials. The trial fanned the anger of Islamic militants against Pakistan's government, which many militants feel betrayed them by abandoning the Afghan Taliban and supporting the United States after Sept. 11. "The government will impose the decision at the behest of the United States," said Sheikh Aslam, brother of defendant Sheikh Adil, as he arrived for today's session. "All executive decisions in Pakistan are being imposed by the United States." Western diplomats and some Pakistani observers fear the kidnap-slaying of the 38-year-old journalist was the first shot in a war between Islamic extremists and this country's Western-backed government. Pakistani newspapers Saturday received an Urdu-language e-mail purportedly from Asif Ramzi, one of those sought in the Pearl case, threatening more attacks against foreigners. Saeed and his co-defendants denied involvement in the kidnapping and accused the government of fabricating the case to appease American anger. Saeed admitted a role the kidnapping during his initial court appearance Feb. 14 but later recanted. Fearing a militant backlash to a guilty verdict, off-duty policemen in Karachi and other cities in Sindh province were called in to work and top police commanders were on 24-hour call, officials told the Associated Press.
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
