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Musharraf treason trial halted after explosives found Musharraf's Pakistan treason trial halted after explosives found
(35 minutes later)
The trial of Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been postponed after explosives were found on his route to court in Islamabad.The trial of Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been postponed after explosives were found on his route to court in Islamabad.
The special court hearing on treason charges against the former president will now take place on 1 January.The special court hearing on treason charges against the former president will now take place on 1 January.
On Monday, his petition that only a military court could examine his actions was rejected.On Monday, his petition that only a military court could examine his actions was rejected.
The charges relate to his decision in 2007 to suspend the constitution and impose emergency rule.The charges relate to his decision in 2007 to suspend the constitution and impose emergency rule.
Mr Musharraf, who is on bail in several other cases, says all the accusations against him are politically motivated.Mr Musharraf, who is on bail in several other cases, says all the accusations against him are politically motivated.
The 70-year-old also faces separate charges of murder and restricting the judiciary.The 70-year-old also faces separate charges of murder and restricting the judiciary.
He is the first Pakistani former military ruler to face trial for treason.He is the first Pakistani former military ruler to face trial for treason.
Mr Musharraf's lawyer, Anwar Mansoor, told the court on Tuesday that the trial could not go ahead because of a heightened security threat. Mr Musharraf's lawyer, Anwar Mansoor, told the court on Tuesday that his client could not appear in person because of a heightened security threat.
Police said 5kg of explosives had been found along the route to the National Library, where the hearing is taking place. Police said 5kg of explosives along with a detonator and two pistols had been found along the route between Mr Musharraf's house and the National Library, where the hearing is taking place.
The court granted Mr Musharraf a one-time exemption from appearing, and ordered the court registrar to ensure he had safe transit on 1 January, where charges will be read to him, says the BBC's Ilyas Khan in Islamabad. Police chief Muhammad Asjad told the AFP news agency the material had not been assembled into a bomb.
'I will not run away' The court granted Mr Musharraf a one-off exemption, but said he must appear on 1 January when charges will be read to him.
Mr Musharraf seized power in a military coup in 1999 and remained president until 2008 when a democratically elected government forced him to resign.
He went into exile soon afterwards.
On Monday, Mr Musharraf's lawyers had argued - unsuccessfully - that as he was the army chief in 2007, only a military court had the authority to try him.On Monday, Mr Musharraf's lawyers had argued - unsuccessfully - that as he was the army chief in 2007, only a military court had the authority to try him.
But Islamabad's high court rejected the petition. It also dismissed objections over the appointment of judges and prosecutor.But Islamabad's high court rejected the petition. It also dismissed objections over the appointment of judges and prosecutor.
Mr Musharraf ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. 'I will not run away'
After his resignation in 2008 he left Pakistan to live in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London. The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says many Pakistanis believe the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - whom Mr Musharraf ousted in a coup in 1999 - is using the trial to divert attention from the problems the country is facing, including a struggling economy and continuing sectarian and other attacks.
On his return in March he hoped he could lead his party into elections, but was disqualified from standing and found himself fighting an array of charges relating to his time in power. But the trial could end up creating further problems for the government, he adds, as Mr Musharraf will plead that several other military and political leaders were involved in the events for which he is now being tried.
The military is thought to be viewing his predicament with a degree of concern, aware that his case could set a precedent in a country with a history of army rule.
After seizing power, Mr Musharraf remained president until 2008 when a democratically elected government forced him to resign. He left the country soon afterwards to live in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London.
On his return to Pakistan in March he hoped he could lead his party into elections, but was disqualified from standing and found himself fighting an array of charges relating to his time in power.
Speaking last week, he defended his actions during his nine-year rule.Speaking last week, he defended his actions during his nine-year rule.
"Whatever I did was for the betterment and welfare of Pakistan and its people," he told Pakistan's private ARY television channel."Whatever I did was for the betterment and welfare of Pakistan and its people," he told Pakistan's private ARY television channel.
"I will face all cases... I will not run away.""I will face all cases... I will not run away."