Pakistani Opposition Leader to Be Freed

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Pakistani Opposition Leader to Be Freed

Friday August 3, 2007 11:31 AM

By MUNIR AHMAD

Associated Press Writer

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's Supreme Court on
Friday ordered the release on bail of a senior opposition
leader who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for trying
to incite an army mutiny, a defense lawyer and officials
said.

The decision to free Javed Hashmi, a close ally of exiled
former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will bolster political
opposition to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who plans
to seek a new presidential term from lawmakers this fall.

The military leader has been weakened by his failed
attempt to oust the country's chief justice. He also faces
a tide of Islamic militant violence and U.S. demands for
tougher action against al-Qaida.

-snip-

Hashmi, an arch-critic of the president, was convicted in
2004 on charges that rights and opposition groups alleged
were politically motivated. He was sentenced in a Sessions
Court to 23 years in prison for circulating a letter from
some soldiers against Musharraf.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6824972,00.html