Home Latest News Musharraf ‘Intends’ to Appear Before Tribunal

Musharraf ‘Intends’ to Appear Before Tribunal

by AFP
Farooq Naeem—AFP

Farooq Naeem—AFP

Former president refuses to recognize authority of treason court in bail bond.

Former president Pervez Musharraf “intends” to appear before a special court set to try him for high treason, his spokesman said on Tuesday, after speculation he could escape trial by going abroad for medical treatment.

The 70-year-old is facing treason charges, which can carry the death penalty, over his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007 while he was president.

“We can confirm that former president Musharraf has posted bail and intends to appear in the special treason court on Feb. 7, 2014,” Raza Bokhari, a spokesman for Musharraf, said in a press statement.

Musharraf has been in a military hospital since falling ill with heart trouble while traveling to the special treason tribunal on Jan. 2 and his lawyers had argued he needed specialist treatment abroad.

According to the press statement, Musharraf wrote on the bail bond: “I do not recognize the authority of this special treason court, but I am complying for the greater good of the rule of law. It is extremely relevant to note the formation, composition, jurisdiction, impartiality, independence and lawful authority of the special treason court is itself under question and under review in superior courts of Pakistan.”

There had been speculation that he would be allowed to go abroad on medical grounds as part of a deal to head off a clash between the government and the military, which is seen as reluctant to have its former chief tried by civilians.

The former general’s name is on the official “exit control list,” meaning he cannot leave Pakistan.

After hearing medical reports from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi, where Musharraf is being treated, the court said it was not in its power to let him leave.

Musharraf was originally summoned to come before the court on Dec. 24 but has yet to put in an appearance, due to security scares and ill health. Last Friday, the court directed him to appear at the next hearing, on Feb. 7, and ordered him to pay bail of Rs. 2.5 million or face arrest.

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