Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf dies at 79

Pakistani television channel Geo.tv reported on Sunday the death of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. He died at the age of 80.

According to the channel, the politician’s death was confirmed by his family. Musharraf was in a private clinic in Dubai.

The general came to power in Pakistan in October 1999 as a result of a military coup in the country. In 2001, Musharraf declared himself president, leaving behind the posts of prime minister and chief of staff of the ground forces.

In 2002, his tenure as president was extended by 5 years.

In 2007, his entourage began to insist on negotiations with the opposition, and the Supreme Court spoke out against Musharraf’s participation in the next presidential election. However, he was again re-elected. The Supreme Court delayed the approval of the election results, which provoked an internal political crisis in Pakistan.

On November 3, 2007, Musharraf declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution as well as some civil liberties. At the end of November, he resigned as commander of the army and swore in as civilian president.

But the opposition won the parliamentary elections in 2008, Musharraf was forced to resign. He left Pakistan and went to London.

In 2013, the politician returned to his homeland to take part in the parliamentary elections, but several cases were opened against him. Musharraf was placed under house arrest.

In 2016, he was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment under the obligation to return to Pakistan to stand trial.

On December 17, 2019, Musharraf was found guilty of treason by the Special Court of Pakistan in connection with his suspension of the constitution and the imposition of a state of emergency in 2007. He was sentenced to death.

In recent years, Musharraf lived in the United Arab Emirates.