Beating a retreat: Musharraf seeks exemption from court appearance today
Lawyer says even international community is concerned about his client’s health.
Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
In an expected turn of events, former president Pervez Musharraf will not appear before the three-member special tribunal constituted to try him for high treason on Monday.
Musharraf’s attorney Ahmad Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune that according to medics, his client ‘cannot move to the court’. “Human life is more important than the course of justice and it is understood that he is seriously ill and in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital,” he added.
Meanwhile, Begum Sehba Musharraf will file an application in the Islamabad High Court seeking removal of her husband’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) on the grounds that her spouse required treatment abroad. A similar request has already been turned down by the interior ministry.
Kasuri said a verbal request will be made before the court, seeking exemption for Musharraf from appearing before the court on Monday. “Everybody knows that he is seriously ill and the international community is concerned about his health.” he said. “There is a legal provision that an accused receives exemption for personal appearance in the court if he is not well.”
The former president was rushed to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on January 2 when he developed cardiac problems on his way to the court where the tribunal was to frame a charge-sheet against him in his treason trial. He was granted exemption from appearing before the court and the case was adjourned till January 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2014.
In an expected turn of events, former president Pervez Musharraf will not appear before the three-member special tribunal constituted to try him for high treason on Monday.
Musharraf’s attorney Ahmad Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune that according to medics, his client ‘cannot move to the court’. “Human life is more important than the course of justice and it is understood that he is seriously ill and in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital,” he added.
Meanwhile, Begum Sehba Musharraf will file an application in the Islamabad High Court seeking removal of her husband’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) on the grounds that her spouse required treatment abroad. A similar request has already been turned down by the interior ministry.
Kasuri said a verbal request will be made before the court, seeking exemption for Musharraf from appearing before the court on Monday. “Everybody knows that he is seriously ill and the international community is concerned about his health.” he said. “There is a legal provision that an accused receives exemption for personal appearance in the court if he is not well.”
The former president was rushed to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on January 2 when he developed cardiac problems on his way to the court where the tribunal was to frame a charge-sheet against him in his treason trial. He was granted exemption from appearing before the court and the case was adjourned till January 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2014.