Briton sentenced to death for Pearl killing

Four Islamic militants were today convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

The chief defendant, British-born Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, was sentenced to death, deputy defence lawyer Mohsin Imam said.

The three others were sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

The verdict was handed down by Judge Ali Ashraf Shah in the heavily guarded jail in Hyderabad where the trial was held.

The defence said the verdict will be appealed.

Reporters were not allowed in the courtroom but were briefed afterward by court officials.