Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Sentenced To Death For Treason

BBC: Pervez Musharraf: Pakistan ex-leader sentenced to death for treason

A Pakistani court has sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death in absentia for treason over his 2007 imposition of emergency rule.

Such a verdict is a first in a country with a history of army rule. The military reacted angrily, saying legal process "seems to have been ignored".

The general seized power in a 1999 coup and was president from 2001 to 2008.

The penalty is unlikely to be carried out. Gen Musharraf was allowed to leave Pakistan in 2016 and is in Dubai.

The high treason charge has been pending since 2013. It relates to Gen Musharraf's suspension of the constitution in 2007, when he declared an emergency in a move intended to extend his tenure.

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More News On Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf

Exiled former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf sentenced to death for treason -- Euronews/AP
Pakistan military condemns death sentence of former chief Musharraf -- AFP
Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan, sentenced to death for treason -- FOX News
After conviction, what next for Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf? -- Al Jazeera

Former Pakistan Presdient Musharraf Escapes An Assassination Attempt

Pakistan's Musharraf Survives Bomb Attack -- Al Jazeera

Former president, currently on trial for treason, escapes assassination bid en route to his property outside Islamabad.

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is on trial for treason, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as a bomb went off shortly before his convoy was due to pass, police said.

The bomb was planted as the convoy travelled from an army hospital where Musharraf has been staying since January to his home, on the outskirts of Islamabad early on Thursday.

Nobody was injured and there have been no claims of responsibility so far.

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More News On Former Pakistan Presdient Musharraf Escaping An Assassination Attempt

Pakistan ex-president Musharraf's route 'target of blast' -- BBC
Bomb explodes on Musharraf’s route from hospital -- Washington Post/AP
Bomb was intended for Musharraf -- The Australian/AFP
Musharraf Unharmed in Assassination Attempt -- Voice of America
Former Pakistani President Musharraf survives assassination attempt -- UPI
Former Pakistan president Musharraf narrowly avoids assassination attempt after bomb goes off along convoy route -- Daily Mail
Bomb Blast Near Pakistan Ex-Ruler Musharraf's Convoy -- NBC
Bomb Misses Convoy of Former Pakistani Military Ruler -- Wall Street Journal
Roadside bomb narrowly misses Pakistan's Musharraf -- Deutsche Welle

Pakistan`s Ex-President Musharraf Charged Over Bhutto Murder

Pakistan Ex-Leader Musharraf Charged Over Bhutto Murder -- BBC

Pakistani ex-President Pervez Musharraf has been charged in connection with the 2007 assassination of opposition leader and former PM Benazir Bhutto.

The former military ruler has denied charges of murder, criminal conspiracy to murder and facilitation of murder.

It is the first time a current or ex-army chief has been charged with a crime in Pakistan. Mr Musharraf says the charges are politically motivated.

Ms Bhutto was killed at an election rally in Rawalpindi in December 2007.

This indictment had long been expected but was delayed because of threats to the former military ruler from the Pakistani Taliban. When he finally made an appearance in the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi it was amid tight security.

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More News On Pakistan`s Ex-President Musharraf Charged Over Bhutto Murder

Pakistan Charges Ex-President Musharraf In Bhutto Death -- NPR/AP
Pakistan's Musharraf charged with murder of Benazir Bhutto -- Reuters
Former Pakistan President Musharraf Indicted in Assassination of Former Prime Minister Bhutto -- Wall Street Journal
Pakistani Court Indicts Musharraf in Assassination of Bhutto -- New York Times
Pakistan ex-leader Musharraf charged in Bhutto death -- USA Today
Musharraf indicted in Bhutto murder case -- Al Jazeera
Pervez Musharraf indictment charges 'fabricated' -- BBC

Former Pakistan President Musharraf Formally Charged For The Murder Of Benazir Bhutto

Musharraf was first attached to the killing by the Anti-Terrorism Court in February 2011 [Reuters]

Musharraf Arrested Over Bhutto Murder Case -- Al Jazeera

General Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistan leader, formally arrested in relation to Benazir Bhutto murder case.

General Pervez Musharraf has been formally arrested in relation to the Benazir Bhutto murder case.

Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said that Musharraf will remain at his Chak Shahzad farmhouse residence but will be produced at the anti-terrorist court in Rawalpindi on Friday.

“The Musharraf case has many implications given the fact that the country is less than two weeks away from election,” he said.

“It will be the responsibility of the new elected government to deal with this important issue.

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Update: FIA formally arrests Musharraf in Benazir murder case -- The Nation

My Comment: His legal problems are just starting.

Pakistan`s Former President Musharraf Escapes Treason Charges

Photo: Former President, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf

Pakistan's Musharraf Slips Treason Charges, But Is Held Incommunicado -- Christian Science Monitor

Pakistan's caretaker government has refused to bring treason charges against the detained former military leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, saying it was beyond its mandate.

Today, Gen. Pervez Musharraf remains under arrest, confined to two rooms in his farmhouse, and the former military leader of Pakistan is still not allowed visits, say his lawyers.

Yet in what is likely good news for the former Army chief, the interim government of Pakistan today said it will not try General Musharraf for treason, saying it does not have the power to do so and that elections, set for May 11, are a national priority.

“We cannot initiate proceedings against him [Musharraf] under Article 6 of the Constitution as we don’t have mandate to do so. Our mandate states that our first and foremost duty is to carry free and fair elections and provide security to the candidates,” the interim government said in its reply to court regarding Musharraf’s treason case, according to the National Turk.

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More News On Pakistan`s Former President Musharraf Escaping Treason Charges

Treason Charges Against Musharraf Are Put Off -- New York Times
Pakistan's Musharraf avoids treason charge by caretaker government -- BBC
Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf escapes treason charges — for now -- Washington Times
Pakistan Government Declines Treason Charges Against Musharraf -- Voice of America
Pakistani Government Delays Decision On Musharraf Treason Trial -- Radio Free Europe

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Arrested On Treason Charges

Pervez Musharraf had been trying to stave off arrest since his return to Pakistan. Reuters

Musharraf Arrested In Pakistan On Treason Charges -- NBC

ISLAMABAD -- Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was arrested early Friday after he fled a court on Thursday when a judge ordered him detained on treason charges.

Musharraf's lawyer Qamar Afzal told NBC News " Musharraf has surrendered himself before the law and now he is in judicial custody"

Television footage showed Musharraf being escorted by uniformed police officers to an Islamabad court

Earlier, Musharraf had said he was being "punished for making Pakistan prosper and for making the country economically sound."

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More News on the Arrest Of Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf On Treason Charges

Musharraf, Fleeing Once, Is Brought Back to Court to Face Charges -- New York Times
Pakistan Ex-President Musharraf Is Taken Into Custody -- Wall Street Journal
Pakistan police arrest former president Musharraf -- Reuters
Pakistani police arrest Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad -- BBC
Police arrest former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf after he escaped from court -- Washington Post/AP
Musharraf put under house arrest -- ABC News (Australia)

Former Pakistan President Musharraf Flees A Courtroom After An Arrest Warrant Is Issued

Pakistan's Musharraf Flees Court After Judges Order His Arrest -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Former President Pervez Musharraf fled a courtroom on Thursday after judges ordered his arrest to answer allegations he committed treason in 2007, an ignominious retreat for a man who once dominated Pakistan and had hoped to revive his political fortunes.

Pakistani television broadcast footage of Musharraf dashing from Islamabad High Court in a black SUV as several lawyers made half-hearted attempts to pursue his vehicle - a scene that would have been unthinkable when Musharraf was at the height of his powers.

It was another blow to his hopes of resurrecting his political career after election officers barred him from standing at next month's general elections, in part due to the various legal challenges he faces. The bid had garnered widespread popular scorn.

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More News On Former Pakistan President Musharraf Fleeing A Courtroom After An Arrest Warrant Is Issued

Pakistani government says it will obey Musharraf arrest order -- CNN
Pakistan’s Musharraf speeds away from court to avoid arrest after bail revoked -- Washington Post/AP
Musharraf Flees Pakistan Court to Avoid Arrest as Bail Revoked -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Facing Arrest, Musharraf Flees Courtroom in Pakistan -- New York Times
Pakistan’s Musharraf flees court as judges order his arrest -- Irish Times
Pakistan's former military leader Pervez Musharraf flees court as it orders his arrest -- The Independent
Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf: Court orders ex-ruler's arrest -- BBC

Pakistan's Former Pakistan President Benazir Bhutto Wanted For Murder

Pakistan Issues Arrest Warrant For Pervez Musharraf -- BBC

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has issued an arrest warrant for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in 2007.

Prosecutors say he was aware of Taliban plans to target her but did not act to prevent her murder in Rawalpindi.

They accuse him of failing to provide adequate security for the former PM.

Mr Musharraf - who lives in self-imposed exile in London - denies the allegations.

His spokesman, Fawad Chaudhry, said Mr Musharraf had no intention of returning to Pakistan for the hearing.

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More News On The Arrest Warrant For Former Pakistan President Benazir Bhutto

Pakistan Issues Arrest Warrant for Musharraf in Bhutto’s Killing -- New York Times
Arrest warrant issued for former Pakistan President -- Xinhuanet
Arrest warrant issued for former Pakistani President Musharraf -- CNN
Pakistan Issues Arrest Warrant for Musharraf -- Voice of America
Court issues arrest warrant for ex-dictator Musharraf in Bhutto case -- Canadian Press
Pakistan court issues arrest warrant for Musharraf -- AFP
Arrest Warrant for Pakistan's Ex-President -- CBS
Musharraf will not comply with Pakistan warrant: Spokesman -- Times Of India

Musharraf Allies Warn Impeachment Could Be Messy

In this photo taken on Sunday, July 6, 2008, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gestures during a ceremony in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistan's ruling coalition will ask President Pervez Musharraf to seek a confidence vote in Parliament or face impeachment, senior party officials told The Associated Press on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil).

From Yahoo News/AP:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The party of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Friday it is rejoining the Cabinet, a gesture of solidarity now that the bickering coalition partners have agreed to seek President Pervez Musharraf's impeachment.

The decision came as Musharraf allies warned they will not make it easy to push the president out, while some newspapers suggested the former army strongman should resign to spare the country another messy political fight.

Musharraf dominated Pakistan for eight years and became a close U.S. ally after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but ceded control of the powerful army last year and has been largely sidelined since coalition parties trounced his allies in February parliamentary elections.

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More News On Musharraf And Impeachment

Pakistan army to ask Pervez Musharraf to resign -- Telegraph
Musharraf and allies plan impeachment fightback -- Yahoo News/AFP
Focus on Pakistan army as Musharraf faces the boot -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Musharraf allies warn impeachment could be messy -- USA Today
Instability Mounts in Pakistan Amid Decision to Impeach Musharraf -- Washington Post
Close Musharraf Allies Say He Has No Plans To Resign Under Pressure -- New York Times
Musharraf plans spirited defense -- International Herald Tribune
Resolution in PA for Musharraf’s ousting on 11th -- Daily Times
Pak ruling coalition confident of removing Musharraf -- Sify
Weight of numbers against Musharraf -- Dawn The Internet
Official: Musharraf impeachment a 'Pandora's Box' -- AP
FACTBOX: No easy options after Musharraf impeachment move -- Reuters

My Comment: Pakistan is burning .... and the politicians are fiddling.