Daniel Pearl widow seeks damages

Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and beheaded in 2002

The widow of US journalist Daniel Pearl is suing one of Pakistan's largest banks, accusing it of playing a part in his abduction and murder in 2002.

The complaint filed by Mariane Pearl alleges the Habib Bank transferred funds to an Islamic charity, which she alleges was linked to the killing.

The court documents say that one of the charity's trustees owned the property where her husband's body was found.

Daniel Pearl was murdered while investigating radical Muslim groups.

He worked for the Wall Street Journal.

Among those being sued by Mariane Pearl is British-born Islamist Ahmed Omar Sheikh who was sentenced to death by a Pakistan court for his role in the abduction and murder. Three others were given life imprisonment. Their appeals are pending.

I am looking for the truth of what happened to Daniel, for our family, our friends, and the public record Mariane Pearl

Another defendant is the alleged al-Qaeda mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is currently in US custody at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba.

The Pentagon says that Mr Mohammed confessed to the beheading of the US journalist during a US military hearing earlier this year.

'Quest for truth'

In the court documents filed in New York, Mrs Pearl alleges the Karachi-based Habib Bank knowingly conducted financial transactions on behalf of the al-Rashid Trust which, she says, was linked to "terrorist groups".

The document says the bank "aided and abetted" people that "carried out the kidnapping, ransom, torture, execution and dismemberment of Daniel Pearl and broadcast those images nationwide".

It seeks unspecified damages for acts it alleges were intended to "emotionally destroy the Pearl family and terrorise, appal and frighten American citizens".

There was no immediate response from Habib Bank.

In a statement, Mariane Pearl said: "I am looking for the truth of what happened to Daniel, for our family, our friends, and the public record.

"This process allows us to delve deeper into the investigation, and to bring accountability and punishment to those involved with his kidnapping, torture and murder."