Posted on 07/18/2007 9:47:37 AM PDT by Kaslin
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The widow of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against al Qaeda, other radical groups and Pakistan-based Habib Bank Ltd over the 2002 abduction, torture and murder of her husband.
Mariane Pearl, whose story is told in the recently released movie "A Mighty Heart" starring Angelina Jolie, filed the suit at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, according to her lawyers.
"Plaintiffs seek to hold responsible those terrorists, terrorist organizations and the supporting charitable and banking organizations for the senseless kidnapping, torture and murder of Daniel Pearl," the suit said.
It seeks an unspecified amount of money, whatever the court "deems appropriate", to prevent the defendants from committing similar acts.
Pearl was the South Asia bureau chief of the Journal when he was kidnapped in Karachi in January 2002 while seeking an interview with suspected Islamist militants. After several days in captivity he was beheaded on video.
Among those sued is Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, or Sheikh Omar, who was convicted and sentenced to death in a Pakistani court for his role in the abduction and murder. Three others were jailed for life.
Another defendant is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, a suspected high-ranking al Qaeda leader and September 11 mastermind who is in U.S. custody. Mohammed admitted to a U.S. military tribunal that he beheaded Pearl, the U.S. military said.
Habib Bank Limited is one of Pakistan's biggest banks. The lawsuit alleges the bank and its subsidiaries knowingly conducted financial transactions on behalf of charities linked to extremist groups.
"In doing so Habib and its subsidiaries aided, abetted and provided material support in the form of financial services for the terrorist support organizations," the suit said.
Habib Bank could not be immediately reached for comment.
Maybe the process server will be able to find Bin Laden. This is pure symbolism.
Good luck collecting girlie. The very idea of suing Al Qaeda is downright stupid.
Will Jolie make another bad movie about this too?
The process of “discovery” should be interesting in this case!
It reinforces the liberals view that this whole thing should be treated as just another criminal investigation, instead of as an act of terrorism.
....is this a joke? Yeah I’m sure al Quada will show up to defend themselves and pay the fine when they lose...
John Edwards will need something to do after the primaries.
From what I've heard... this dame's a piece of work.
He and his wife knew the consequences and hazards of the way he pursued his job.
Dealing with Muslim trash is risky at best.
Muslims have no honor when it comes to dealing with those of the great Satan.
His killers were looking to make a statement and he made himself available for the slaughter.
Mrs. Pearl can file all the lawsuits she wants but I doubt she will ever collect.
Here's the real defendant with the bullseye on them. I bet the bank and its subsidiaries have assets, particularly financial assets, in America.
Maybe she will be able to tap frozen funds of those named in the suit. And getting a multi-million or billion dollar judgement against a bank will definitely make the banking industry sit up and take notice of shady transactions.
A recent issue of National Review had a very interesting arcticle on how banks refusing to do business with North Korea affected Ill Kim’s lavish lifestyle and criminal enterprises.
There is a big trial currently going on here in Dallas against “The Holy Land Foundation” which was basically a front group raising money for Hamas.
This trial could have far-reaching ramifications depending on how it turns out.
That is the crux of it.
Be careful - if she wins, AQ may decide to deliver the money to her “personally”.
Could lead to an explosive situation.
Time Magazine can serve the papers on that lawsuit. They are in good communication with AQ.
‘It reinforces the liberals view that this whole thing should be treated as just another criminal investigation, instead of as an act of terrorism.’
Target, fire for effect.
She may want to sue Saddam’s nephew because he was also involved in either this or Nick Berg’s killing.
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