Pakistan Ex-President Zardari In Court On Graft Charges

Former Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari flashes a victory sign as he leaves the anticorruption court after his hearing in Islamabad on January 9.

ISLAMABAD -- Former Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has appeared before an anticorruption court in Islamabad over multimillion-dollar graft allegations dating back to the 1990s.

Dozens of his supporters greeted him at the court, chanting and waving placards.

After a brief session, the hearing was adjourned to January 18.

The cases against Zardari relate to alleged kickbacks, money laundering, and the illegal construction of a polo ground at the prime minister's official residence while his slain wife, Benazir Bhutto, served as prime minister.

Zardari enjoyed immunity from prosecution as president.

His immunity ended when he stepped down in September after five years in office.

Zardari's hearing came as his predecessor as president, Pervez Musharraf, faces trial for treason.

Musharraf he yet to appear before a special tribunal due to reports of ill health.

Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal