DATE=11/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / SHARIF TRIAL (L)
NUMBER=2-256362
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has ordered that
deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must remain in police
custody until next Monday because it wants to question him
further. Mr. Sharif, who faces charges of hijacking and
attempt to murder, has been under detention since his
ouster from power in a military coup last month. As Ayaz
Gul reports from Islamabad, if found guilty, Mr. Sharif
could be sentenced to death or life in prison.
TEXT: Mr. Sharif was brought to the courthouse in Karachi
under heavy police guard. This was his first appearance in
public since being detained after the military coup that
ousted him from power on October 12. Court officials
barred reporters from attending the proceedings.
At the beginning of the hearing, the deposed prime minister
complained to the judge that he has been kept in solitary
confinement since his ouster. He then strongly denied
accusations against him of attempted murder and hijacking.
Instead, Mr. Sharif said the country's democratic
government had been hijacked.
The charges against the deposed prime minister date back to
the day of the coup, when he allegedly gave orders to
prevent the plane carrying the army chief, General Pervez
Musharraf, from landing in Karachi. The plane was
eventually allowed to land after the military took control.
General Musharraf is now the ruler of Pakistan.
Mr. Sharif and four colleagues are accused of endangering
the lives of the 200 people on board the plane, including
the general.
A VOA reporter, Qaisar Mahmood, was outside the courthouse.
/// QAISAR ACT ///
Nawaz Sharif was produced (in the court) and the
court ordered the police to produce him again in the
court on November 22nd.
/// END ACT ///
Under Pakistan's anti-terrorism laws, set up by Mr. Sharif
himself, the deposed prime minister and the four other
officials who are being tried with him could be sentenced
to death if they are found guilty. (Signed)
NEB/AG/KL
19-Nov-1999 09:57 AM EDT (19-Nov-1999 1457 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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