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Pervez Musharraf Shutterstock/stocklight

Former Pakistan leader Musharraf sentenced to death in absentia

Musharraf seized power in 1999 by ousting the government of Nawaz Sharif.

A PAKISTAN COURT has sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in absentia to death for treason – an unprecedented move in the South Asian country where the armed forces are often considered immune from prosecution.

“Special Court Islamabad has awarded death sentence to former President Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case,” Radio Pakistan tweeted today. 

Musharraf seized power in 1999 by ousting the government of Nawaz Sharif.

In 2008, he was forced to resign after the party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto came to power.

The case centres around Musharraf’s decision to suspend the constitution and impose emergency rule in 2007, according to his lawyer Akhtar Shah. 

The controversial move ultimately sparked protests against Musharraf, leading to his resignation in the face of impeachment proceedings.

Musharraf has been in self-imposed exile ever since a travel ban was lifted in 2016 that allowed him to seek medical treatment abroad.

The 76-year-old has since spent most of his time between Dubai and London. 

“Musharraf wanted to record his statement and was ready to visit Pakistan but he wanted foolproof security which was not provided,” lawyer Shah said.

“He is still in Dubai and sick,” he said. 

Musharraf, who was born in India’s capital New Delhi but moved with his family to Pakistan at partition, took power after ousting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a coup in 1999. 

A cigar-smoking, whisky-drinking moderate, the general became a key US ally in the “war on terror” and escaped at least three Al-Qaeda assassination attempts during his nine years in office.

His rule faced no serious challenges until he tried to fire the chief justice in March 2007, sparking nationwide protests and months of turmoil that led to the imposition of a state of emergency.

After the December 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the national mood soured further and he was left isolated by the crushing losses suffered by his allies in February 2008 elections.

Following the court’s decision Tuesday, Bhutto’s son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: “Democracy is the best revenge”.

Musharraf finally in resigned in August 2008 the face of impeachment proceedings by the new governing coalition and went into exile.

He returned in 2013 in an attempt to contest elections but was barred from taking part in the polls and from leaving the country while facing a barrage of legal cases.

Todays’ ruling is the latest court decision to target Musharraf. 

In 2017, a Pakistani court pronounced Musharraf a fugitive in the murder trial of Bhutto – the first woman prime minister of a Muslim country.

The anti-terrorism court has branded Musharraf an absconder and ordered the confiscation of his property. 

Musharraf is alleged to have been part of a broad conspiracy to have his political rival killed before elections. He has denied the allegation.

© – AFP 2019

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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:04 AM

    Best way to dispose of a Christmas tree is to bring it out your back garden and launch it in your neighbours garden, then act like you know nothing about it if they say anything, this is also a green eco friendly way too as you don’t need to drive anywhere in your car …. Your welcome

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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:20 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: *YOU’RE

    85
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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:16 AM

    @Fergal O’Hagan: you’re boring…. See I learn quickly

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    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:50 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: you are welcome!

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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Fergal O’Hagan: you are still drab.. I’m flying now

    12
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    Mute Sean Ryan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:29 AM

    My local secondary school offers collection and disposal for €10. The boys collect it and the profit goes towards the school football club.

    158
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    Mute Jane Alford
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @Sean Ryan: Best to let it completely dry out first…

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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:37 AM

    @Sean Ryan: scandalous

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    Mute Wheresmyjumper
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:17 AM

    I’m throwing mine over the back wall and letting nature take care of it, it’s a tree i reckon driving it to the council drop off would have more of a negative impact on the environment

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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:21 AM

    @Wheresmyjumper: I said that already

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Jan 5th 2020, 8:06 AM

    I am going cut it up and burn it in my stove..

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    Mute dublindamo
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:32 AM

    @Tim McCormack29: didn’t think this type of green tree was good for a stove

    38
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    Mute Gussy Hughes
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @dublindamo: Ah damo, it’s only once a year. Everything in moderation!

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    Mute Whoswho
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    Jan 5th 2020, 3:26 PM

    @Gussy Hughes: Who answers all these polls? Get a life!

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    Mute Brendan Doherty
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:08 AM

    Mine is recycled in the attic ready for next year no harm to the environment at all

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    Mute Marie Louise Ryan
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:43 AM

    @Brendan Doherty: only its made of plastic

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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Marie Louise Ryan: a plastic one is environmentally neutral if you keep it for about 10 years. Wasn’t there an article here about that recently?

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    Mute Colm Curran
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:52 AM

    I’ll treecycle mine I’ll get my coat

    40
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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:40 AM

    My Goats are loving it they will be munching for days

    33
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    Mute Aonghus OReilly
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:47 AM

    @Shane Freeney: You said goatmunching.

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:29 AM

    Trees melt away after they are felled if left alone , just throw it at the back of the ditch.

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    Mute Liam Mc Meel
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    Jan 5th 2020, 8:07 AM

    No

    20
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    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
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    Jan 5th 2020, 4:09 PM

    One of my footmen is towing the 60 footer as I type.

    14
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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park. Looks like a body bag

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    Mute Anthony Mc Donald
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    Jan 5th 2020, 3:50 PM

    I don’t buy fresh Xmas trees have my personal reasons as in environmentally

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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:15 PM

    Why do you want to know this?

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    Mute Garykelly
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    Jan 5th 2020, 10:25 PM

    Yeah we heard you the first time chief

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    Mute Rory M
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:56 AM

    There is lots of drop of points for old real xmas trees and its usually designated to the corner of a field The Council , corporation , fingal etc all are involved and the shredded trees get re used in the gardening sector , so it makes sense to look up your local authority NO MATTER whether your on Southside, Northside or any part of dublin .
    USE AND RECYCLE

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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park. Looks like a body bag

    1
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    Mute Datalore
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    Jan 5th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Bound mine in a few black refuse sacks and brought it to Corkagh Park

    1
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    Mute Morning Gus
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    Jan 5th 2020, 11:07 PM

    @Datalore: Come again!!!

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