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Pakistan's Musharraf Charged in Death of Benazir Bhutto


A court in Pakistan has indicted former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in connection with the 2007 assassination of opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The court in Rawalpindi on Tuesday charged Mr. Musharraf with murder, criminal conspiracy, and facilitation of murder. Prosecutors say Mr. Musharraf, who was president at the time, failed to properly protect Ms. Bhutto from attack at a political rally in Rawalpindi where she died after a shooting and bomb attack.

Mr. Musharraf has denied the charges against him and the case has been adjourned until August 27.

It is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former army chief has been charged with a crime. Security was tight in the area around the courthouse Tuesday.

Mr. Musharraf returned to Pakistan earlier this year after stepping down in disgrace in 2008 and spending nearly four years in self-imposed exile. He vowed upon his return to run for political office, but was banned from parliamentary elections and now faces several legal battles.
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