Russian sentenced to death in Pakistan

A Russian citizen of Pakistani origin has been sentenced to death in Pakistan after being found guilty of the attempted murder of President Musharraf in 2003.

Akhlas Akhlak was arrested in a casino and allegedly forced to sign a document in which he admits plotting to kill Pervez Musharraf.

A Pakistani court martial sentenced him to death.

Akhlak's father has appealed the ruling, saying that a military court cannot judge civil persons, especially foreigners.

He also accuses the court for falsifying court documents.

Akhlas Akhlak has been kept in prison for over three years. He's been denied meeting with the Russian embassy workers in Islamabad.

“The Pakistani authorities do not recognise him as a national of the Russian Federation. They consider Akhlak to be a Pakistani citisen. Therefor a representative of the Russian embassy in Pakistan has denied an opportunity to hold a council meeting with him as a citizen of our state which goes against international law,” Mikhail Tarantsov, Commissioner for Human Rights, said.