Prosecution seeking new judge in Pearl trial

The prosecution in the trial of four Pakistani men accused of murdering US reporter Daniel Pearl has complained of intimidation…

The prosecution in the trial of four Pakistani men accused of murdering US reporter Daniel Pearl has complained of intimidation and requested a new judge.

Chief prosecutor Mr Raja Qureshi told reporters Judge Abdul Ghafoor Memon had been unable or unwilling to stop threats to himself and his witnesses from the accused in the anti-terrorism court.

Mr Qureshi, who yesterday said he feared for his life, said the High Court would decide tomorrow whether Judge Memon, who is the second judge to be appointed for the trial, should be replaced.

Judge Memon was appointed to the trial after the defence filed a petition against the first judge on the basis he had heard Omar confess to the kidnapping during a remand hearing.

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The four accused are facing execution on charges of murder, kidnapping and terrorist activities after Wall Street Journalreporter Mr Pearl was abducted from this southern city on January 23rd and executed.

All of the accused, including alleged mastermind Sheikh Omar, a British-born Islamic extremist, have pleaded not guilty.

AFP