The trial of the British-born Islamic militant charged with the kidnap and murder of US journalist Mr Daniel Pearl in Pakistan has been adjourned after his lawyer demanded more documents from the government.
Mr Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh's lawyer called on prosecutors to hand over copies of e-mails and photos sent to authorities announcing Pearl's abduction. The case was then postponed until April 12th.
Soldiers surrounded the Karachi Central Jail, where Mr Saeed (29) from Wanstead, east London, and three co-defendants face the death penalty if convicted.
Relatives of the men were allowed into the courtroom, but journalists were kept well back by police. Reporters staged a brief protest to complain about being excluded, but jail officials refused to allow them in.
Mr Pearl disappeared on January 23rd while researching links between Pakistani extremists and Londoner Richard Reid, who was arrested in December on a flight from Paris to Miami with explosives in his shoes.
A few days later, the previously unknown National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty announced his kidnapping in e-mails to US and Pakistani news organisations. A video of Mr Pearl's decapitation was received by US diplomats on February 21st. His body has not been found.
Seven suspects remain at large, including those authorities believe actually killed Mr Pearl.
The US government has also indicted Mr Saeed for hostage-taking and asked for his extradition, but Pakistan says it wants to conduct its own trial first. He could face the death penalty in either country if found guilty.
PA