Pervez Musharraf: Pakistan former leader sentenced to death for treason

Today a special court in Pakistan sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death for charges of high treason, stemming from his decision more than a decade ago to suspend the constitution and impose a state of emergency. The high treason charge has been pending since 2013. It links to Gen Musharraf’s suspension of the constitution in 2007, when he declared an emergency with an intension to extend his tenure.

The judges’ 2 to 1 decision marked the first time a court has handed down the death penalty to a former army chief or leader of Pakistan. Analysts said the penalty is unlikely to be carried out: Musharraf, who was sentenced in absentia, has been out of the country since 2016 and has been under medical treatment in Dubai.