Pervez Musharraf makes brief court appearance in Pakistan

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made his first appearance Tuesday before a special court formed to try him on treason charges. Musharraf's lawyers argued the court has no jurisdiction, and a military court should hear the case, the official government news agency, the Associated Press of Pakistan, reported. Security was tight during Musharraf's brief period in court. The BBC reported that the 70-year-old, who was denied permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, looked healthy. Musharraf, a career Army officer, was chief of staff in 1999 when he seized power in a military coup. He became president in 2001 and for most of his time in office also headed the military. The special court has not yet decided if it has jurisdiction and decided not to formally charge Musharraf until it makes that ruling. Musharraf could face execution if he is found guilty of declaring emergency rule in 2007 and unlawfully suspending the constitution.