ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistani police have arrested former President Pervez Musharraf and presented him in court, April 19. TV images showed General Musharraf flanked by uniformed police officers at an Islamabad court. On Thursday, April 18, a court had ordered the former leader’s arrest over his attempt to impose house arrest on judges in March 2007. However, Musharraf had made good his escape from the court . His personal security helped him flee. Police officer Mohammed Khalid said Gen Musharraf was arrested overnight at his home on the outskirts of Islamabad.

He said the former president was presented before a judge at Islamabad District Court, who will decide whether to hold Gen Musharraf in prison or return him home under house arrest. Last month Gen Musharraf returned from years of self-imposed exile hoping to lead his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party into the general election next month. But earlier this week his candidacy was rejected in Chitral, one of four seats he had applied to contest.

Gen Musharraf had already failed in an attempt to stand in three other seats. The case for which he has been arrested relates to his controversial decision to dismiss judges – including Chief Justice Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry – when he imposed emergency rule in 2007. He also faces several other criminal cases – including treason charges – and had been trying to stave off arrest ever since he returned. The Pakistani Taliban have also vowed to assassinate the former president, who seized power in a 1999 coup.