This Article is From Aug 20, 2013

Pervez Musharraf indicted, charged with murder, terrorism in Benazir Bhutto assassination case

Pervez Musharraf indicted, charged with murder, terrorism in Benazir Bhutto assassination case
Islamabad: A court in Pakistan today formally indicted former military ruler Pervez Musharraf along with seven other accused with the murder of former premier Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated in 2007.

An eight-page chargesheet read out to Musharraf in a Rawalpindi court also charged him with terrorism and under explosives acts.

The decision by a court in Rawalpindi marks the first time Musharraf, or any former army chief in Pakistan, has been charged with a crime in a country ruled by the military for half of its 66-year history.

Mr Musharraf appeared in person during the brief morning hearing, and pleaded not guilty, said Afsha Adil, a member of Musharraf's legal team.

The judge set August 27 as the next court date to present evidence.

Bhutto was killed in 2007 during a gun and bomb attack at a rally in the city of Rawalpindi, 15 km from capital Islamabad. Prosecutors have said Musharraf, who was president at the time, failed to properly protect her.

Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March after nearly four years outside the country and vowed to take part in the country's May elections. But he has little popular support in Pakistan and ever since his return has faced a litany of legal problems related to his rule.

He has been confined to his house on the outskirts Islamabad as part of his legal problems, and was brought to court Tuesday amid tight security.

In addition to the Bhutto case, Musharraf is involved in a case related to the 2007 detention of judges and the death of a Baluch nationalist leader.

He's also faced threats from the Pakistani Taliban who tried to assassinate him twice while he was in office and vowed to try again if he returned.

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