Former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf and his bodyguards pushed past policemen and sped away from court in the country's capital Thursday to avoid arrest after his bail was revoked in a case accusing him of detaining senior judges while in power.
The 69-year-old Musharraf jumped into a black SUV and escaped as a member of his security team hung to the side of the vehicle in a dramatic scene that was broadcast live on Pakistani TV. Lawyers shouted, "Look who is running, Musharraf is running!"
He raced to his large compound on the outskirts of Islamabad, which is protected by high walls, razor wire and guard towers. He holed up inside
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as dozens of police and elite commandos blocked the main road that runs to the compound and kept the converging crowd at bay. About 20 Musharraf supporters held banners and shouted slogans in favor of the former military ruler.
None of the security forces protecting the compound made any move to arrest Musharraf, likely because they were awaiting word from senior officials trying to figure out how to deal with a delicate situation. |