DATE=12/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN / SHARIF / L
NUMBER=2-257086
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The official filing of charges against
Pakistan's former prime minister has been delayed
again because of a dispute over evidence in the case.
As V-O-A's Scott Anger reports, Nawaz Sharif and six
others are expected to be tried on charges of
kidnapping, attempted murder and hijacking. If
convicted, they could face the death penalty.
TEXT: The special anti-terrorism court has adjourned
until next Monday to give both sides an opportunity to
figure out how to present recorded evidence in the
criminal case against Nawaz Sharif, his brother
Shahbaz and five others.
Charges against the men stem from an alleged attempt
to divert a plane low on fuel, which carried army
chief General Pervez Musharraf back to Pakistan from
Sri Lanka October 12th. Hours later, the general
ousted Mr. Sharif's government in a bloodless coup.
According to prosecutors, the diversion was intended
to cause the plane to crash, killing the general.
Prosecutors say audio recordings made by the plane's
in-flight recorder cannot be copied and, therefore,
cannot be provided to the defense as ordered by the
judge last week. The judge has now asked both the
defense and the prosecution to bring experts to the
court to examine the recorded evidence.
To ensure confidentiality of the material, the judge
has ordered no details of the tapes be released to the
news media.
Before the hearing Monday, Mr. Sharif told reporters
he did not interfere with the aircraft and that the
allegations are fabricated. He has vowed to fight
the charges and says he will win.
Security remains tight around the court building in
Karachi, where a lengthy charge sheet had been
presented last week. But because of a number of
questions about the evidence, the judge of the special
court has not yet indicted Mr. Sharif and the others.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SA/WD
13-Dec-1999 05:21 AM EDT (13-Dec-1999 1021 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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