Musharraf: Bhutto Endangered Herself

Pakistani president blames recklessness

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2008 2:10 PM CST

(Newser) – President Pervez Musharraf dismissed accusations today that Pakistan's government was involved in the Dec. 27 assassination of Benazir Bhutto, citing extensive security provided to the ex-prime minister as well as careless disregard for her own safety. “There is no complicity,” he said of the killing. “Would I or the government be the maximum gainer from doing this?"

A confident Musharraf said Bhutto was warned repeatedly of threats against her and that the government provided four squads of about 30 people permanently detailed to her and more than 1,000 police officers at the site of her murder. Musharraf also challenged predictions of foul play in parliamentary elections set for Feb. 18. “There is a crisis, and I hope the solution is elections,” he said.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto arrives to address to her last public rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan in this Dec. 27, 2007 file photo. In an Oct. 26 email sent to CNN's Wolf Blitzer through... (Associated Press)

In this handout photo released by Pakistan Press Information Department, President Pervez Musharraf speaks during a news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Musharraf denied accusations... (Associated Press)

In this image made from video provided by CNN, Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, speaks to an aid before entering a vehicle, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.(AP Photo/CNN) (Associated Press)

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf speaks to the national in this image taken from TV Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/PTV, via AP Television) (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Musharraf killed Benazir Bhutto ? (Orthodox786 (YouTube))

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Pakistan Delays Vote to Feb. 18 After Violence

Musharraf asks London police for help in Bhutto assassination probe

(NEWSER) - On the day Pakistan announced it had rescheduled parliamentary elections for Feb. 18 in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination, President Pervez Musharraf has asked Scotland Yard to "solve all the confusion" surrounding her death, CNN reports. The country's election commission said the wave of violence after Bhutto's assassination made the original Jan. 8 election date impossible. More»

UK Probe: Blast Killed Bhutto

She died from head injury caused by blast, says Scotland Yard

(NEWSER) - Scotland Yard detectives investigating the assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto have concluded that the cause of death was not a bullet, but the massive head injury she sustained when she was thrown by the suicide bomb blast. The findings mesh with the Pakistan government's version of the killing and were immediately rejected by skeptical Bhutto supporters, who renewed calls for a UN investigation, reports the Guardian. More»

CIA Chief Names Groups Behind Bhutto Assassination

Pakistani militants, al-Qaeda blamed

(NEWSER) - The CIA director blames a cooperative effort by al-Qaeda and a group of Pakistani militants for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Washington Post reports. The conclusion jibes with the explanation Pervez Musharraf has offered, though some Pakistanis still suspect the president and his government had a hand in the ex-PM’s murder. More»

Bhutto's Death Her Own Fault: Musharraf

'It was she to blame alone—nobody else,' tells '60 Minutes'

(NEWSER) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has absolved his own government—and everyone else—of culpability in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, telling "60 Minutes" that she alone was to blame for her death. "For standing up outside the car, I think it was she to blame alone—nobody else. Responsibility is hers," he said in an interview aired last night. More»

Scotland Yard Team Begins Pakistan Probe

Brits arrive to help investigation of Bhutto assassination

(NEWSER) - Investigators from Scotland Yard arrived in Pakistan today to assist with the government's investigation of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Pervez Musharraf invited the team to lend credibility to the investigation and help put to rest what the president called "conspiracy theories," but critics remain skeptical about what the Brits will—and won't—be permitted to do, AFP reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Musharraf: Bhutto Endangered Herself