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| India-Pakistan |
| Pakistan police lodge charges against Sufi Mohammed |
| 2009-08-02 |
| From AP: Pakistaini authorities lodged a criminal case Sunday against cleric Sufi Muhammad, who helped negotiate a failed peace deal with the Swat Valley Taliban led by his son-in-law Maulana Fazlullah, suggesting the government is determined not to negotiate again with the hard boys. Sufi Muhammad is accused of aiding terrorism, sedition and conspiring against the government, Swat police Chief Sajid Mohmand said. The charges carry a minimum penalty of life imprisonment and a maximum of death. Police Chief Mohmand said seven of Muhammad's aides, including two already killed in a clash between hard boys and the army, were also named in the case. Muhammad, who was arrested last Sunday near the northwestern city of Peshawar, must appear before a court within 15 days to be formally charged, Mohmand said, but noted there are still no functioning courts in Swat. Mohmand said authorities would seek a legal opinion to determine whether the case could be moved to Peshawar if no Swat court is up and running in time. The charges stem from comments Muhammad made during an April speech in which he condemned democracy and elections and said Pakistain's constitution was un-Islamic. The speech revolted many people in Pakistain, leaving even some hard-line Islamist political party leaders silent, and it was considered to be an important factor in shifting public opinion against the Taliban. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |