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US Offers Reward in Pearl Case VOA News 27 Feb 2002 19:29 UTC 
The U.S. State Department has announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who kidnapped and murdered American journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan.
The reward was announced Wednesday in Washington, hours after Pakistani media reports said the Pakistani government has agreed in principle to extradite one of the top suspects in the case to the United States.
Suspect Ahmed Omar Sheikh, widely known as Sheikh Omar, has said he organized the abduction of Mr. Pearl, who disappeared in Karachi January 23. But he says others carried out the crime and contends he does not know their identities or whereabouts. Four other suspects are being sought in connection with the case.
Neither Pakistani nor U.S. authorities have commented on the Pakistani reports about the possible extradition of Sheikh Omar. But police in Karachi have beefed up security around the detention center where he is being held, after an anonymous caller threatened rocket attacks if Sheikh Omar is extradited.
Sheikh Omar is also wanted in the United States in connection with the 1994 kidnapping and murder of an American tourist in India.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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