Statement By Secretary Antony J. Blinken
The United States is�deeply concerned�by the Pakistani Supreme Court�s decision�to acquit�those involved in Daniel Pearl�s kidnapping and murder�and�any proposed action to release them.
Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh was indicted in the United States in 2002 for hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, resulting in the murder of Pearl, the South Asia Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal, as well as the 1994 kidnapping of another�United States citizen in India.�
The�court�s�decision is an affront to terrorism victims everywhere, including in Pakistan. The United States recognizes past Pakistani actions to hold Omar Sheikh accountable and notes�that Sheikh currently remains detained under Pakistani law.
We expect�the Pakistani government to expeditiously review its legal options�to ensure justice is served.�We take note of the Attorney General�s statement that he intends to seek review and recall of the decision.
We�are�also�prepared to prosecute�Sheikh�in the United States for his horrific crimes against an American citizen.�We are committed to securing justice for Daniel Pearl�s family and holding terrorists accountable.