Chief suspect in reporter's abduction 'cooperating'

The man suspected of masterminding the abduction of Daniel Pearl is said to be co-operating with authorities.

Police say the interrogation of British-born Islamic militant Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh is "going well".

He had been due to face formal kidnapping charges today, but the hearing has apparently been postponed by a day.

Pakistani officials said Saeed told police Pearl is still alive. Police believe the 38-year-old reporter is still in the Karachi area.

"We think Sheikh Omar is the key man," said Tariq Jamil, deputy police chief of the southern port city of Karachi, where Pearl disappeared three weeks ago. He is cooperating. We are hopeful that Daniel is alive. The interrogation is going well."

But Mr Jamil has refused to elaborate or explain why police haven't located Mr Pearl despite Saeed's cooperation. Mr Jamil said several houses were raided in Karachi, apparently on information received from Saeed.

Pakistani law requires suspects to appear in court within 24 hours of their arrest. But a police spokesman said Saeed's arrest date will likely be listed as Wednesday to give police another day to interrogate the 27-year-old.

Saeed "has given us some information. We have some clues. The investigation is moving forward. We cannot share the information with the press because we feel it is not in the interest of the investigation," Mr Jamil said.

Police identified Saeed as their prime suspect after arresting three men accused of sending emails that announced Mr Pearl's kidnapping.

Those three suspects have been formally charged with kidnapping and ordered to be jailed for two more weeks by a Karachi anti-terrorism court.