Reactions as man charged in Pearl murder freed in Pakistan

The brother of one of four men charged in the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl reacted on Thursday as a provincial court in Pakistan ordered their release. The brother, Sheikh Aslam, said he would await the release of Sheikh Muhammad Adil.The court order, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, said the provincial government's detention orders were illegal and that neither the provincial nor the federal government had cause to keep the four behind bars.

The Sindh High Court's release order overturns government detention orders that should remain in custody.Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the key suspect in Pearl's slaying, was sentenced to death and the others to life in prison for their role in the plot. But in April, the Sindh High Court acquitted them, a move that stunned the U.S. government, Pearl’s family and journalism advocacy groups.

The acquittal is now being appealed separately by both the Pakistani government and Pearl's family.Faisal Siddiqi, the family's lawyer, said Sheikh would be freed until the appeal is completed, but would return to prison if the family is successful in overturning the acquittal.

(Image Credit: AP)