(6 Apr 2000) English/Nat
Deposed Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for hijacking and terrorism.
The sentencing at an anti-terrorist court in Karachi took place on Thursday and was marked by fierce scuffles between Sharif supporters and the overwhelming majority of the crowd which favoured Sharif's imprisonment.
Six other defendants who were charged along with Sharif, among them his brother, were acquitted of all charges.
The court ordered all of Sharif's property confiscated, fined him 2 million rupees (U-S dollars 37,000) in compensation to the passengers and crew of the plane and an additional fine of 1 million rupees (U-S dollars 18,500) was also imposed on him.
Six months after the army toppled his government former Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday on charges that he refused to let a passenger plane land in Pakistan, endangering all 198 people on board.
Judge Rehmetullah Jaffri found Sharif guilty of hijacking and terrorism. He was acquitted of attempted murder and kidnapping.
The court also ordered all of Sharif's property confiscated and ordered Sharif to pay 2 million rupees (U-S dollars 37,000) in compensation to the passengers and crew of the plane.
An additional fine of 1 million rupees (U-S dollars 18,500) was also imposed on him.
Six other defendants who were charged along with Sharif, among them his brother, were acquitted of all charges.
Outside the Karachi courtroom security was tight. Overhead, an army helicopter hovered, and on the rooftops of nearby buildings army and policemen with automatic rifles took aim at the street below.
Sharif and his co-defendants had arrived at the courtroom in armoured personnel carriers, surrounded by army guards.
Sharif was sentenced to life in prison on charges that he refused to let a passenger plane land in Pakistan, endangering all 198 people on board.
Judge Rehmetullah Jaffri found Sharif guilty of hijacking and terrorism. He was acquitted of attempted murder and kidnapping.
The court also ordered all of Sharif's property confiscated and ordered Sharif to pay 2 million rupees (U-S dollars 37,000) in compensation to the passengers and crew of the plane.
An additional fine of 1 million rupees (U-S dollars 18,500) was also imposed on him.
Six other defendants who were charged along with Sharif, among them his brother, were acquitted of all charges.
The life sentence was the lesser penalty. Under Pakistani law, the maximum penalty for hijacking is death.
Sharif's wife, Khulsoom, arrived ahead of the verdict in a continuing show of support - support that was also shown by others.
SOUNDBITE: (Urdu)
"They want to come themselves (NOTE TO EDS - she is referring to concerned family members who were unable to attend and supporters who can in small numbers.) Who am I to stop them?"
SUPERCAPTION: Khulsoom Sharif, Nawaz's Wife
There were heated scenes when some supporters were denied entry to the high security court building.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This counsel is not being allowed to go into the court."
Court Official - "Sorry, Sir, I can't help you."
Supporter - "You can't help me, so you do whatever you want to. I am not going from here, you see. I have told you, you arrest me, do whatever you want to, being a defence counsel I have an obligation to my client."
SUPERCAPTION: Pro-Sharif protestor
Four activists of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League, who tried to demonstrate outside the courthouse, were arrested.
They screamed anti-army slogans and declared Sharif their prime minister as they were being led away by police.
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