Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Musharraf Pushes Swiss to Prosecute Foe

Alleges Bhutto widower stashed $55M in Swiss bank account

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 21, 2008 10:37 AM CST
Email

(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.

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 of state and intends to serve out his five-year term, his spokesman said, despite a sweeping victory by his opponents in an...
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)
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)
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 at Sharif's residence in Raiwind near Lahore, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Pakistan People's Party/HO)
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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Local media on the coalition talks
Dawn (Pakistan)

EU monitors say election was flawed
Financial Times (UK)

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

More Newser Stories

Mass Rigging Charged Ahead of Pakistan Vote

Nawaz Sharif Says He'll Run for Parliament

Musharraf Opposition Seek to Build Alliance

New Pakistan Leaders to Seek Talks With Militants

Bhutto Loyalist Frontrunner to Be Pakistan PM
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne