The journalist, wife of slain Wall Street Journal Reporter Daniel Pearl, is taking Al Qaeda, other radical groups and Pakistan-based Habib Bank Ltd to court over the 2002 abduction, torture and murder of her husband.
From the statement of claim:
“Plaintiffs seek to hold responsible those terrorists, terrorist organizations and the supporting charitable and banking organizations for the senseless kidnapping, torture and murder of Daniel Pearl.”
The suit seeks an unspecified amount of money, or ‘whatever the court deems appropriate’ to prevent the defendants from committing a similar act.
An incredibly brave woman, to be sure. My guess is Al Qaeda won’t be showing up in court, what with the constant threat of airstrikes. But it would be extremely interesting if they nailed Habib Bank – one of Pakistan’s largest – with supporting terror. A precedent setting case that could have poorly-behaved Middle Eastern bankers squirming. Thanks to CS for the link.
Can’t decide if this is brave, or insane.
I’m leaning towards the former because I’d like to think I could do the same thing in this situation.
I’ll take useless gesture for $300 please, Alex.
This is token, and nothing more.
I think it makes a point, and is NOT “useless”. Whether she ever sees a dime is not the point. Pointing the finger at those responsible is far more important.
It’s unlikely she’ll even establish jurisdiction, let alone have the case go to trial.
What point does it make? That terrorism is bad? Did we not know that prior to this suit being filed?
There’s no denying she suffered a tragedy, but this filing seems to be more about her needing to feel like she’s doing something, anything, than it does about effecting any real results.
This won’t resolve anything. It won’t progress anything. It’s a token gesture, and will be ineffectual, and thus, in my humble opinion, useless.