Musharraf gets bail in Lal Masjid case
05 November, 2013
ISLAMABAD: A court on Monday granted bail to former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf over a deadly raid on Lal Masjid, bringing closer his possible release after more than six months of house arrest.
The ruling by Additional District and Sessions Judge Wajid Ali means the ex-general is on bail in all the cases brought against him since his return to Pakistan from self-imposed exile, including one relating to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
But the 70-year-old is likely to remain under heavy guard at his villa on the edge of Islamabad, where he has been under house arrest since April, because of serious threats to his life.
The judge approved bail on condition Musharraf pays bonds totalling Rs 200,000. The trial is due to start on November 11.
Defence lawyer Afshan Adil told AFP the money would be paid on Tuesday, but rejected rumours that have circulated in recent months that Musharraf would try to leave Pakistan.
"He is not going abroad and will stay in the country," she said.
Musharraf's name is currently on the Exit Control List, meaning he cannot leave Pakistan without the approval of the government.
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