Musharraf Murder Hearing Adjourned

Pervez Musharraf

A Pakistani court has delayed the expected indictment of the country’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on charges of conspiracy to murder the late opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Officials said the court hearing in the city of Rawalpindi on August 6 was delayed because Musharraf could not attend due to threats to his life.

The next hearing has been set for August 20.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been under house arrest for the past three months.

Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi in December 2007.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International said in a statement that Pakistani authorities must hold Musharraf accountable for all human rights abuses committed during his rule.

There are a number of other cases pending against Musharraf, with trials expected to follow later this year.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters, and RFE/RL