DATE=11/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN - SHARIF TRIAL L-ONLY
NUMBER=2-256551
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Pakistan, a special anti-terrorism court has
delayed for a week filing formal charges against
deposed prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, and six aides.
As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, Mr. Sharif and the
others are facing charges of treason, hijacking and
attempted murder.
TEXT: Former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, was brought
to the Karachi court in an armored personnel carrier.
Other co-defendants, including Mr. Sharif's brother
(Shahbaz Sharif), were also driven inside the compound
of the court under heavy police guard.
The defendants were expected to be formally charged
Friday with treason, hijacking and conspiracy to
murder. But after a brief hearing, the judge postponed
the filing of the charges for another week, to give
the prosecution more time to investigate the case. ///
OPT /// It is not clear when a formal trial will
begin. /// END OPT ///
The charges against Mr. Sharif date back to October's
military coup (October 12th), when he allegedly
ordered airport authorities to deny a passenger plane
carrying army chief, General Pervez Musharraf,
permission to land in Karachi. The aircraft, which was
dangerously low on fuel, was eventually allowed to
land after the military took control and overthrew Mr.
Sharif. General Musharraf is now the ruler of
Pakistan.
Mr. Sharif and his six aids are accused of endangering
the lives of the 200 people on board the plan,
including General Musharraf.
Before appearing in the court on Friday, Mr. Sharif
told reporters that he and his colleagues are innocent
and accused General Musharraf of conducting a personal
vendetta.
Wednesday, one of the defendants, the head of
Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (Aminullah
Chaudhry) agreed to testify against Mr. Sharif. He was
not brought before the court for Friday's proceedings.
The anti-terrorism court is scheduled to announce
formal charges on December the fourth. Under
Pakistan's anti-terrorism laws, set-up by Mr. Sharif,
a conviction carries the death penalty. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/JO
26-Nov-1999 08:06 AM EDT (26-Nov-1999 1306 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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