Judge gives prosecutors in Pearl case more time

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh

KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) -- For a third time, a Pakistani judge Tuesday extended the deadline for prosecutors to file charges against suspects in the kidnap-slaying of American journalist Daniel Pearl, but warned them that time was running out.

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh -- the key suspect in the slaying of Pearl -- was taken into custody February 5 and has already been held through two 14-day remands granted by the Sindh High Court, a provincial court in southern Pakistan. The judge said there would be no more extensions.

The head prosecutor -- Advocate General Raja Qureshi -- told the court he needed more time because there were still other suspects that need to be arrested and false names were making tracking difficult.

"I would not say that we don't have ample evidence. We do have ample evidence, but given the nature of the case further time is required," Qureshi said outside the court room.

Court papers said charges must filed by March 20.

Saeed, along with Salman Saquib, Saquib's brother, Fahad Naseem, and Sheikh Adil are all expected to face charges in Pearl's kidnapping and death. Only Saeed and Adil appeared in court Tuesday.

Saeed offered a chilling threat as he was lead from the court after the hearing.

"American will suffer if I am killed in a false encounter at their behest," Saeed said, referring to a high court decision that said he could be extradited to the United States as long as it was according to Pakistani law.

Saeed has admitted in court that he orchestrated the plot against Pearl, although his statement was not made under oath, so it cannot be used as evidence.

On February 21, the U.S. State Department confirmed The Wall Street Journal reporter was killed, based on a videotape showing his body, which has not yet been found.