Summary Siegel's statements were nothing more than a collection of conflicting talks, says Farogh Naseem.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The court hearing for Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto’s murder trial on Thursday has been adjourned until the 25th of January. A 7 hour cross-examination of US journalist Mark Siegel for his statements pertaining to the case was conducted by former President Pervaiz Musharraf’s lawyer Farogh Naseem via video conferencing.
In a talk with the media after the completing the argument, Naseem stated that the US journalist’s statements were nothing more than a collection of conflicting talks.
The defendant’s lawyer stated that Siegel had first denied being a PPP lobbyist but later admitted to it after he presented documentary evidence to the US journalist. Naseem stated that Siegel used to receive Rs. 9 lac annually for PPP’s lobbying. He further added that the current government had done way with him after 5 months of coming into power.
Naseem stated that Siegel had not informed any authority of Musharraf’s call. The laywer stated that Siegel said he had not seen Benazir’s mobile phone screen.
Speaking on the case, Government Prosecutor Chaudary Azhar stated that the PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari was not a wtiness in this case so cannot be summoned. Azhar stated that Siegel had completely supported his argument and he had shown the email at the time of Benazir’s martyrdom.
Azhar further stated that Benazir herself had shown Siegel Musharraf’s call regarding the threat. The Prosecutor added that the statements of other witnesses are still to be recorded after which Musharraf’s statement will be recorded as well.
Azhar stated that Musharraf had immunity in the case. He also informed that Siegel had never denied being a PPP lobbyist.
Renowned American author Mark Siegel had earlier declared Musharraf as Benazir’s murderer. According to Siegel’s statement, Benazir had written to Musharraf about the threats to her life. The statement says that a secret agency of the Gulf traced a call in which Benazir’s murder was being planned.
Mark Siegel went on to say that Musharraf promised to provide mobile jammers for Benazir’s security but it was learnt only after the tragedy that the jammers provided by him were not working.
In his statement, Siegel told that Benazir received a threat call from Musharraf before him on September 25th, 2007 in his presence and Benazir was extremely troubled after receiving the call.
Former Prime Minister Benazir was assassinated on December 27, 2007 as she was returning after a successful election campaign rally from Liaqat Bagh. The case has been shrouded in controversies and complexity since the day of murder till date while testimonies have also been removed.
Among many mysteries are the murder of 8 suspects, eye witnesses and prosecutor one after another. The fact that the crime scene was washed hours after assassination has also not been explained.
The Punjab Police carried out initial investigation of the murder which was later taken over by the Scotland Yard, United Nations and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Initially, five suspects were arrested and then 2 police officers and former president Pervez Musharraf was also named as those responsible for the assassination.
The prime accused, Tehreek-e-Taliban’s Baitullah Mehsud, has already been killed along with 7 accomplices in drone attacks.
The guy who was seen doing suspicious movements on stage, Khalid Shehenshah, was also shot dead in a target killing incident in Karachi.
