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27 December 2007: Benazir Bhutto supporters hold a ceremony to mark the anniversary of her death. AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary
Pakistan

Former Pakistani ruler wanted over Benazir Bhutto assassination

Warrant issued by Pakistani court for ex-military leader Pervez Musharraf over the 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

A PAKISTANI COURT HAS issued a warrant for the arrest of the country’s former military leader Pervez Musharraf over the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Bhutto was the first woman elected as the head of a Muslim state, and became Pakistan’s first female prime minister in 1988, and was elected to office a second time in 1993.

She was killed in a gun and suicide bomb attack while leaving an election rally on 27 December 2007. At least 20 other people were killed in the incident.

Musharraf’s spokesperson has said the former military ruler will not return to Pakistan from his self-imposed exile in the UK to comply with the “ridiculous” warrant, the AFP reports. The warrant requests Musharraf’s attendance at a hearing on 19 February.

Prosecutors have accused Musharraf of being a part of a conspiracy to kill Bhutto ahead of the elections in early 2008. The BBC reports that prosecutors say further developments in the investigation into Bhutto’s death is not possible without Musharraf’s participation.

Musharraf became president of Pakistan after a military coup in 1999, and resigned under pressure in 2008.

Two senior police officials were arrested last year on suspicion of failing to provide adequate protection to Bhutto on the day of her death.