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Pervez Musharraf pleads not guilty to treason charges in Pakistan court Pervez Musharraf pleads not guilty to treason charges in Pakistan court
(about 1 hour later)
Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's once all powerful military ruler, was indicted on high treason charges in a court appearance despite claims he would be allowed to escape abroad. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's once all-powerful military ruler, has been indicted on high treason charges in a court appearance, despite claims he would be allowed to escape abroad.
Amid a massive security operation on Monday the former president appeared for only the second time in a trial that has dragged on since December to pleaded not guilty to the five charges against him. Amid a massive security operation on Monday, the former president appeared for only the second time in a trial that has dragged on since December to plead not guilty to the five charges against him.
"I prefer death to surrender," the former army chief told the special court in Islamabad."I prefer death to surrender," the former army chief told the special court in Islamabad.
It is the first time a civilian court has put a senior member of Pakistan's military establishment on trial.It is the first time a civilian court has put a senior member of Pakistan's military establishment on trial.
It was also a moment that Musharraf's legal team had tried to avoid. Most experts agree he will struggle to defend himself against the charges once the trial begins in earnest.It was also a moment that Musharraf's legal team had tried to avoid. Most experts agree he will struggle to defend himself against the charges once the trial begins in earnest.
Security threats and a health scare had enabled Musharraf to largely avoid the indignity of appearing before the court. He has been staying at a military hospital in the garrison city of Rawalpindi since experiencing chest pains in January that he claims can only be treated overseas.Security threats and a health scare had enabled Musharraf to largely avoid the indignity of appearing before the court. He has been staying at a military hospital in the garrison city of Rawalpindi since experiencing chest pains in January that he claims can only be treated overseas.
His legal team boycotted Monday's proceedings in protest against the lead judge who they claimed had recused himself from the trial after storming out during a previous hearing. His legal team boycotted Monday's proceedings in protest against the lead judge, who they claimed had recused himself from the trial after storming out during a previous hearing.
But with the support of a new lawyer Musharraf took the opportunity to deliver a lengthy defence of his nine years in power and a firm denial that he was a traitor. But with the support of a new lawyer, Musharraf took the opportunity to deliver a lengthy defence of his nine years in power and a firm denial that he was a traitor.
"I am being called a traitor, I have been chief of army staff for nine years and I have served this army for 45 years," he said. "I have fought two wars and it is treason?""I am being called a traitor, I have been chief of army staff for nine years and I have served this army for 45 years," he said. "I have fought two wars and it is treason?"
The charges do not relate to the coup he ordered in 1999, but the tail end of his period in power when he declared emergency rule and sacked senior judges. The charges do not relate to the coup he ordered in 1999 but the tail end of his period in power, when he declared emergency rule and sacked senior judges.
Pakistan's supreme court has already declared that to be an act of treason.Pakistan's supreme court has already declared that to be an act of treason.
Speaking on Monday, Musharraf said he acted on the advice of the then prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, and his cabinet. Speaking on Monday, Musharraf said he had acted on the advice of the then prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, and his cabinet.
Although Monday'syesterday's proceedings suggested that the net was tightening around Musharraf, many observers spotted a possible face saving deal that could end the months-long standoff between Pakistan's three power centres: the army, government and judiciary. Although Monday's proceedings suggested that the net was tightening around Musharraf, many observers spotted a possible face-saving deal that could end the months-long standoff between Pakistan's three power centres: the army, government and judiciary.
Akram Sheikh, the chief prosecutor, did not object Musharraf's request to leave the country to travel to the United Arab Emirates to visit his ailing mother. Akram Sheikh, the chief prosecutor, did not object to Musharraf's request to leave the country to travel to the United Arab Emirates to visit his ailing mother.
A senior member of Musharraf's legal team said he believed a deal had been struck that would spare the military establishment the humiliation of seeing an former army chief sentenced to prison, or even to death. The court later ruled that it was for the government to decide whether Musharraf should be allowed to travel abroad.
A senior member of Musharraf's legal team said he believed a deal had been struck that would spare the military establishment the humiliation of seeing a former army chief sentenced to prison, or even to death.
Musharraf could then return to the life of self-imposed exile he had been leading before his return to Pakistan last spring, when he hoped to contest elections but failed to drum up popular support.Musharraf could then return to the life of self-imposed exile he had been leading before his return to Pakistan last spring, when he hoped to contest elections but failed to drum up popular support.