BB murder case: ATC reserves verdict on Mark Siegel’s statement

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RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court Rawalpindi on Monday reserved its verdict that whether the statement of a US-based author Mark Siegel, in Benazir Bhutto murder case, is admissible.

Last month, Mr Siegel had recorded his statement via video link. The court reserved its verdict on Gen Musharraf’s appeal challenging the legal status of Mr Siegel’s statement.

Musharraf’s counsel, Barrister Faroogh Naseem, argued that the statement of Mr Siegel had no legal value as it was recorded via video link. He said the witness should have been physically present before the court to record his statement.

Mr Siegel, a close friend of Ms Bhutto, had claimed that the former military dictator threatened Ms Bhutto in a telephone call.

He told the court that after Gen Musharraf’s call, Ms Bhutto was visibly upset and worried. According to Mr Siegel Gen Musharraf had told Ms Bhutto that her life would be in danger if she returned before 2007 general elections.

Gen Musharraf already rejected Mr Siegel’s statement terming it a pack of lies.