DATE=6/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK/ SHARIF (L)
NUMBER=2-263083
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan's deposed prime minister, Nawaz
Sharif, has been indicted on charges of corruption.
Along with today's (Friday's) indictment, another
court agreed to consider a prosecution request to
convert Mr. Sharif's previous life sentence to death,
on charges of hijacking and terrorism. From
Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.
TEXT: A special anti-corruption court has formally
charged Nawaz Sharif with tax evasion in connection
with the purchase of a helicopter. The former
Pakistani prime minister has been accused of importing
the Russian-made helicopter -- worth more than one-
million dollars -- and not declaring it on his tax
returns.
Mr. Sharif says the charges against him are "bogus"
and "cooked-up." His former anti-corruption chief,
Saifur Rehaman, also is named in the indictment. If
convicted, the two men could face a maximum sentence
of 14 years in prison, plus disqualification from
holding any public office for 21 years.
The court, set up in a 16th-century fort near
Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, will begin a regular
hearing next Friday. The government says the trial
will be held at the fort for security reasons.
Defense lawyers boycotted Friday's proceedings, saying
they have been denied access to their client.
The case against Mr. Sharif is one of dozens the
military government in Pakistan is pursuing in its
efforts to clean up widespread corruption, which it
says has undermined the country's political
institutions. The government has given sweeping
powers to a National Accountability Bureau to do the
job.
Meanwhile, another court in Karachi has agreed to hear
an appeal by the military government, seeking the
death penalty for Mr. Sharif on charges of hijacking
and terrorism. The court will hear the appeal on June
12th.
A special anti-terrorism court last month sentenced
the former prime minister to life in prison on charges
of hijacking and terrorism, which stem from the
military coup that ousted Mr. Sharif last October.
(Signed)
NEB/AG/LTD/WTW
02-Jun-2000 09:49 AM EDT (02-Jun-2000 1349 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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