Pearl kidnap suspect's wife petitions against U.S. extradition moves

Saeed -- the key suspect in the case

KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) -- The wife of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the key suspect in the kidnap-slaying of American journalist Daniel Pearl, has filed a petition aimed at blocking U.S. efforts to have him extradited.

Saadia Omar Sheikh told a Pakistani court Friday that her husband was innocent because he was in the northern city of Lahore from January 23 -- the day Pearl went missing -- until February 5, when Saeed turned himself in to authorities, chief prosecutor Advocate General Raja Qureshi said on Saturday.

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.

During the High Court hearing, her counsel argued that extradition at this time would violate a 1972 law providing Saeed with the right to a fair trial in his country.

Saeed is the British-born son of Pakistani immigrants, although authorities have yet to make clear what his nationality is.

The next hearing for the petition is scheduled for March 5.

Qureshi declined to comment on the petition, saying he was preparing his arguments.

Pakistani authorities have said Saeed won't be extradited before they complete their investigation, and that Saeed may be tried first in Pakistan.

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

Investigators have been granted until March 12 to find more evidence.