Pervez Musharraf: Bomb found on route to former Pakistan president's treason trial

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf denounced treason charges against him as a 'vendetta' (AFP/Getty)

The former Pakistani president failed to appear at his own treason trial on Wednesday because of security concerns. Police defused a bomb near Pervez Musharraf's home just hours before he was to appear.

Police officer Nayyar Saleem told Associated Press news agency that officials scanning the former army chief's route to court spotted the improvised bomb along a road, about a mile from the 70-year-old's farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad.

Musharraf's lawyer, Ahmed Raza Kasuri, said: "He is unable to appear before the court because of security hazards."

Similarly, four small bombs were found along the same route on Monday.

Musharraf ruled Pakistan for nearly a decade after taking power in a 1999 coup.

The charges, which he denies, relate to the state of emergency he imposed in 2007. He also faces separate charges of murder and restricting the judiciary.