Mark Siegel had recently recorded his statement in the court through video link from Washington alleging that Musharraf had threatened late Benazir Bhutto in a phone call made to her while she was planning to return to the country after an eight-year exile.
Barrister Farogh Naseem on behalf of former president Musharraf, filed a petition in Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi pleading to the court to declare Siegel’s testimony unlawful. The court admitted the plea for hearing.
The petition said that the testimony was recorded in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) as no judicial officer was present while Siegel testified.
He also objected to Farooq H. Naek sitting next to Siegel as his advocate while he testified.
The petition maintained that Siegel’s testimony lacked transparency and did not meet the requirements of the law.
After accepting the petition for hearing, the court deferred Siegel’s cross-examination by Musharraf’s counsel via video link — which was scheduled for today.
The court adjourned the hearing till November 11.
