PM Gilani indicted for contempt

8 hours ago

Gilani is Pakistan's first premier ever to be charged in office. - AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was charged with contempt by the Supreme Court on Monday, pleading not guilty to charges that could see him jailed for six months and disqualified from office.
Summoned over the government’s two-year refusal to write to authorities in Switzerland asking them to re-open corruption cases against the president, Gilani is Pakistan’s first premier ever to be charged in office.
Gilani, who swept into court dressed in a dark suit, grey tie, white shirt and cufflinks, was charged within minutes of appearing.
Reading out the charge sheet, Judge Nasir ul-Mulk said the prime minister had “wilfully flouted, disregarded and disobeyed” orders from the Supreme Court over re-opening alleged laundered money cases.
“Do you plead guilty?” asked Mulk.
“No,” Gilani replied, adding that he would respond further in writing.
The court ordered the attorney general to prosecute the case, giving him until Thursday to file documents, which the court will examine on February 22, and the defence until February 27 to file documents and a list of witnesses.
Evidence from Gilani’s lawyer will then be recorded on February 28, three days before March 2 Senate elections, at which the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is expected to win a near-majority of seats.
Gilani was exempted from appearing in court until further notice.
The hearing lasted less than half an hour and Gilani left soon after, waving confidently to crowds of lawyers huddled under gloomy grey skies and a persistent drizzle.

Pakistani Supreme Court indicts prime minister for contempt

February 13, 2012 -- Updated 1409 GMT (2209 HKT)

Pakistan PM indicted for contempt

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- The Pakistani Supreme Court on Monday indicted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for contempt after his steadfast refusal to revive old corruption cases against the country's president.

The court's move deepens the political turmoil in Pakistan amid tensions between the civilian and military authorities and fraught relations with the United States. It means Gilani, the first Pakistani prime minister to be charged while in office, will face a trial that could endanger his political future.

Gilani has "willfully flouted, disregarded and disobeyed the direction given by this court," said Justice Nasir ul-Mulk as he read out the charge, to which Gilani pleaded not guilty.

The court has demanded that Gilani ask the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption charges from the 1990s against President Asif Ali Zardari and others.

Gilani, whose government has resisted the request, has been locked in a standoff with the Supreme Court justices for about two years over the issue. He could be jailed for six months if the justices find him in contempt.

Observers say the prospects for Gilani are looking increasingly bleak.