Musharraf in Pakistan court over Bhutto killing

PAKISTAN: Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf appeared before an anti-terrorism court on Tuesday over the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, officials said.

Musharraf was driven to the court in Rawalpindi from his plush villa on the outskirts of Islamabad where he is serving a two-week arrest order for other charges dating back to his 1999-2008 rule.

Musharraf faces charges of conspiracy to murder Bhutto, who died in a gun and suicide attack in 2007, one of three cases he is fighting in the courts since returning home last month after four years in self-imposed exile.

On Monday, Pakistan's caretaker government refused to put Musharraf on a separate trial for treason, telling the Supreme Court that it was beyond its mandate.

Security at the court was tight with journalists barred from entering. Armed police and paramilitary rangers stood alert and blocked all approaches, an AFP reporter said.

AFP