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Musharraf appears in court to face treason charge

Indictment put off as court decides to take up jurisdiction question first.

Former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf finally appeared before a special court on Tuesday, after avoiding its summons for nearly 22 sessions, to face treason charges of subverting the constitution by imposing emergency on November 3, 2007 and dismissing and detaining over five dozen judges of the superior judiciary.

The court, however, withheld for next hearing, Musharraf’s scheduled indictment, apparently to first dispose of his legal team’s objections to its jurisdiction and the plea that, being an army chief at the time the offence was committed, he can only be tried by a military court.

Instead, the special court issued a short order stating that Musharraf would face indictment upon his next appearance in court and that this would happen soon. The hearing was postponed. The former military strongman was met with applause from his advocates as he arrived in the court. He left the court shortly afterwards.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Musharraf’s advocate Ahmed Raza Kasuri reiterated that all other requests should be held off until a decision is made about the competence of the special court to try this case.

He stated that a decision will be made on February 21 about whether Musharraf should be tried by a military court or a civil court.

Earlier, Musharraf’s lawyers had guaranteed that he would appear before the court on February 18 (today).

Musharraf faces treason charges under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.

The 70-year-old retired general was hospitalised at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi on January 2.

He was rushed to the AFIC and admitted there over a month and a half ago, after he complained of chest pain en route to the court.

Extra-ordinarily stringent security arrangements were made for the 23-km journey from the AFIC to the special court which has been set up in the National Library in Islamabad. About 1,200 security personnel were deployed en-route while special measures were adopted to secure the court premises.

His security protocol left from gate number one of AFIC and travelled on Mall Road, Airport Road and Express Highway to make its way to the special court.

A medical protocol was also ready in case of any health emergency the former president may face. Sharp shooters were in place on the route and a vehicle with the ability to detect and defuse bombs as well as jam signals travelled with Musharraf to the court to ensure his safety.

Traffic on Mall Road had been blocked and only vehicles that are part of Musharraf’s security were being allowed near the hospital.

Patients too were not allowed to enter through gate number one, and were redirected to other entrances of the hospital.

news@khaleejtimes.com