Men Accused in 2002 Death of American Journalist to be Freed

Four men accused in the death of an American journalist will be freed by Pakistan’s Supreme Court. In 2002, Daniel Pearl was in Pakistan investigating the shoe bomber when he went missing on January 23rd. It’s believed Pearl was lured to a meeting where he was then kidnapped. Soon after, a video of his beheading was delivered to the U.S. consulate in Karachi and his body was found in a shallow grave. His abduction and death drew international attention and increased concerns over radical Islamic terrorism. Four men were arrested and convicted in connection to the case. Three of the men were later acquitted. A fourth, who was given the death penalty, has since received a reduced sentence. But after spending 18 years behind bars, the Pakistan Supreme Court deemed the men had “suffered irreparable harm and extreme prejudice.” In December they ordered all the men to be freed. Pearl’s family and Pakistani authorities tried to appeal but were overruled yesterday. Once released, the men are barred from leaving the country.