Rangers personal murder case: Maulana Aziz, 20 others acquitted

RAWALPINDI: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has acquitted former Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz and 20 others accused in the murder case of a Rangers personnel, giving them the benefit of doubt in the absence of concrete evidence against them.

The murder took place during the Lal Masjid operation in July, 2007. Khalid Khwaja, another accused in the case, had passed away earlier.

The court also issued arrest warrants for four others accused in the case.

Maulana Aziz was arrested on July 4, 2007, while the accused in the case were charged in April, 2011 but they pleaded not guilty. Statements of eighteen witnesses were recorded during the trial.

The court today on Monday announced the judgment which it had reserved a week ago following the conclusion of the case's hearing.

Speaking to the media following his acquittal, Maulana Aziz said the decision reflects that the actions of former President Pervez Musharraf were flawed and brutal.