DATE=1/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / SHARIF (L)
NUMBER=2-258199
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A court has formally indicted deposed
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on charges of
kidnapping, hijacking and attempted murder. As
Correspondent Scott Anger reports, the charges stem
from an incident in October when a plane carrying
Pakistan's army chief was diverted -- reportedly
endangering the passengers aboard.
TEXT: Nawaz Sharif arrived at the courthouse amid
tight security to hear the charges, which come more
than three months after a military coup ousted his
democratically elected government.
Mr. Sharif, his younger brother Shahbaz and five other
people have pleaded not guilty to the charges. If
found guilty, the defendants could receive the death
penalty or life in prison.
The army ousted Mr. Sharif's government in a bloodless
coup on October 12th. Before the coup, the military
government says Nawaz Sharif and the six others
accused denied landing rights to a plane carrying Army
Chief General Pervez Musharraf and 200 other
passengers. The plane -- which was dangerously low on
fuel -- was eventually allowed to land after the
military seized control of the country.
The special anti-terrorism court hearing the case was
set up by Nawaz Sharif to hand out what he called
"quick justice" to avoid the lengthy delays
experienced in Pakistan's traditional legal system.
By law, the special court must try and finish the case
within seven days. However, many witnesses are
expected to be called -- possibly causing the trial to
last longer.
The case has been held up for several weeks by legal
arguments over jurisdiction and evidence the
prosecution will be allowed to use during the trial.
The trial is to begin on January 26th in Karachi, where
the incident involving the plane allegedly took place.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SA/WD
19-Jan-2000 05:21 AM EDT (19-Jan-2000 1021 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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