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September 5, 2008 11:58:35 PM CDT

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Musharraf Pushes Swiss to Prosecute Foe

Posted Feb 21, 08 10:37 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – As the battle to control Pakistan heats up, President Pervez Musharraf's lawyers have asked the Swiss government to prosecute Asif Ali Zardari over decade-old corruption charges. Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto and leader of the victorious Pakistan People's Party, is charged with hiding $55 million in kickbacks in a Swiss bank account. Bhutto herself faced similar charges in Switzerland before her assassination.

Swiss judges delayed a decision, and Zardari's lawyer insisted that the charges were "all political." Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, whose parties won a commanding majority in Monday's parliamentary elections, are to begin negotiations today to form a coalition government. Analysts see the Musharraf team's pressure on the corruption charges as tactical: if he can't fracture the opposition, he might see himself impeached.

Sources Guardian (UK), Reuters

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Supporters of Pakistan's slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's party, celebrate their electoral success in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. Pakistan's president will not step down as head...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, widow of slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, delivers a speech during a meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)   (Associated Press)
Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of Pakistan's slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/K M Chaudary)   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Pakistan People's Party, Asif Ali Zardari, left, husband of Pakistan slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto walks with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after their meeting...   (Associated Press)
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Tags

Pakistan  • Pervez Musharraf  • Benazir Bhutto  • corruption  • Nawaz Sharif  • Pakistan People's Party  • Asif Ali Zardari  • Pakistan elections  • Switzerland  • Muslim League


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