WANSTEAD man Ahmed Sheikh has been sentenced to death for the kidnap and murder of USA journalist Daniel Pearl.
Sheikh, of Deynecourt Gardens, could face death by hanging following the verdict, meted out by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan today.
His three co-accused, Fahad Naseem, Salman Saqib and Sheikh Adil, were also found guilty and were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Sheikh's father Saeed said his son was "relaxed and composed" following the verdict.
Mr Pearl, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, disappeared on January 23, while investigating a story about possible links between alleged shoe-bomber RIchard Reid and the al Qaeda network of Osama Bin Laden.
A month later, a video was sent to the US and Pakistani officials, showing Mr Pearl murdered.
When he was arrested, Sheikh confessed to the charges, but later withdrew his confession.
Execution in Pakistan is carried out by hanging, but usually only after an exhaustive appeals process.
July 15, 2002 12:00
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