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Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf dies at 79

The politic was in a private hospital in Dubai

Pervez Musharraf REUTERS/Press Information Department

Pervez Musharraf

© REUTERS/Press Information Department

ISLAMABAD, February 5. /TASS/. Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (2001-2008) has died at the age of 80, the Pakistani TV channel Geo-TV reported. Musharraf's death was confirmed by his family. The former head of state was in a private hospital in Dubai.

General Musharraf came to power in Pakistan in October 1999 in a military coup. On June 20, 2001, he proclaimed himself president, retaining the posts of prime minister and chief of staff of the ground forces. In April 2002, his presidency was extended by five years. In 2007, Musharraf came into conflict with his own entourage, who insisted on negotiations with the opposition, as well as with the Supreme Court, which opposed his participation in the next presidential election. Nevertheless, on October 6, 2007, he was re-elected for a new term, but the delay in the approval of the election results by the Supreme Court provoked an internal political crisis. In this situation, on November 3, 2007, Musharraf declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and a number of civil liberties. On November 28, 2007, he resigned as commander of the army and took the oath as a civilian president. However, the parliamentary elections held in February 2008 brought victory to the opposition, therefore, in order to avoid impeachment, Musharraf was forced to resign on August 18, 2008, after which he left for London.

On March 24, 2013, Musharraf returned to his homeland to participate in the parliamentary elections. However, already on March 31, several criminal cases were initiated against him. On April 18, 2013, the court issued a warrant for his arrest, and on August 20 he was formally charged. Musharraf was arrested and placed under house arrest. In March 2016, he was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment, while promising to return to Pakistan to stand trial.

On December 17, 2019, the Special Court of Pakistan sentenced Musharraf to death by hanging. He was found guilty of high treason in connection with the suspension of the constitution and the introduction of a state of emergency in 2007. Musharraf lived in Dubai, UAE, in recent years.

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