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Treason Indictment for Musharraf


A special court set up to try Pakistan's former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, has indicted him on five counts of treason.

Mr. Musharraf pleaded "not guilty" to each count Monday at the court in Islamabad.

In an address to the court, Mr. Musharraf said "I am not a traitor," and highlighted Pakistan's achievements under his tenure.

The treason charges stem from his decision in 2007 to suspend the constitution and declare a state of emergency in his bid to extend his increasingly disputed rule as president.

The 70-year-old former ruler could face the death penalty or life in prison if he is convicted.

Mr. Musharraf seized power in a military coup in 1999 by ousting then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and later forcing him into exile.

Mr. Musharraf stepped down in 2008 and went into self-imposed exile months later. The former army leader returned to Pakistan last year to participate in the May elections, but was barred from doing so because of several legal challenges facing him.
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