Bhutto to launch Swiss appeal

Benazir Bhutto: Dogged by corruption charges

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto plans to appeal against a verdict by a Swiss judge convicting her of money laundering, her spokesman says.

Ms Bhutto and her husband, Asif Zardari, both received six-month suspended jail terms and fines of $50,000.

Investigating Judge Daniel Devaud said they had illegally deposited millions of dollars in Swiss accounts.

Ms Bhutto and Mr Zardari deny misappropriating the money.

The Swiss verdict proves beyond any shadow of doubt the loot and plunder of Benazir Bhutto Information Minister Sheikh Rashid

The Swiss ruling orders Ms Bhutto to return nearly $12m and a diamond necklace worth $188,000 to Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the couple's spokesman said Ms Bhutto's lawyer was on his way to London to discuss the decision to appeal with her.

"We denounce the Swiss court decision," Farhatullah Babar said.

'Malign'

Ms Bhutto has 14 days to lodge her appeal. She says corruption charges against her are politically motivated.

Members of her Pakistan's People's Party agree.

BENAZIR BHUTTO 1953 - born in Sindh 1979 - father executed 1990/96 - dismissed as prime minister 1999 - convicted for not appearing in court 2002 - barred from standing in general elections 2003 - found guilty of money laundering by Swiss judge

"There is an element in this to malign our leader. We reject all this," a senior PPP leader, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, told a news conference in Islamabad.

But the Pakistan Government says the Swiss move vindicates its charges of corruption against Ms Bhutto.

"The Swiss verdict proves beyond any shadow of doubt the loot and plunder of Benazir Bhutto," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.

Ms Bhutto's lawyer said the Swiss verdict had been issued without notices having been served on either of his clients.

Murder case

The case relates to a 1998 indictment in which Benazir Bhutto was accused of having access to money obtained through kickbacks and commissions from two Swiss companies with contracts with the then Pakistani Government.

An investigation found several numbered accounts in Switzerland in which more than $11m had been deposited.

Ms Bhutto lives in self-imposed exile in London and the Middle East.

Her husband is currently serving a jail term in Pakistan for corruption.

In a separate development, Mr Zardari was formally indicted on Tuesday for the murder of a chairman of state-owned Pakistan Steel, Sajjad Hussain, who was shot in 1998.