RAWALPINDI: US lobbyist Mark Siegel has refused to come to Pakistan to record his statement in the murder case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto because of security concerns. The Judge of Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Rawalpindi, Pervez Ismael Joya, has adjourned the hearing of Benazir murder case till April 6, 2015. American journalist Mark Siegel was a key witness in the Benazir Bhutto murder case. The ATC Rawalpindi Judge, Pervez Ismael Joya, had summoned Mark Siegel to appear on Tuesday. But, the US journalist cited security concerns as the reason for his not travelling to Pakistan to record his statement. The murder case of the former prime minister is being heard by an anti-terrorism court at the Adiala Jail on a daily basis. The prosecution team was informed by Siegel of his security concerns, however, the US author is willing to record his statement via video link. Siegel had been summoned to record his statement in the murder case. To-date, a total of 49 witnesses have recorded their statements.Mark Siegel has reportedly claimed that Benazir Bhutto had received a phone call by the then President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in his presence. Siegel says Musharraf had told Benazir that he would not be responsible for her security if she returned to Pakistani prior to the elections. Siegal has also alleged that Pervez Musharraf was aware of the plot to assassinate Benazir Bhutto and had ordered destruction of all evidence. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack in Rawalpindi on December 27 in 2007 after she had addressed a public meeting in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. All accused, included Syed Aitzaz Shah, Rafaqat Hussain, Hasnain Gul and former City Police Officer (CPO) Saud Aziz, former SP Rawal Khurram Shahzad, FIA public prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar and former secretary interior Kamal Shah, were present in the Adiala Jail during the hearing of Benazir murder case on Tuesday.
