12 Apr 2014

Pakistan withdraws attempted murder charges against baby

A Pakistani judge throws out charges of attempted murder against a nine-month-old baby in a case that has cast a global spotlight on the country’s dysfunctional justice system.

Baby Muhammad Musa Khan appeared in court along with adult relatives charged with attempting to murder a policeman, after his family clashed with police and gas company workers trying to collect overdue bills.

He appeared in court in the city of Lahore, Pakistan sitting on his grandfather’s lap and drinking from a bottle of milk.

Police registered a case against the whole family but now claim this was an error.

“Police told the court that the nomination of Musa in the case of attacking police and gas company officials was a human error and Musa is not required,” defense lawyer Irfan Sadiq explained.

The baby’s grandfather, Muhammad Yasin, and his three sons still face the charges.

His grandfather asked journalists outside the court: “How can he stone the police?”

During the baby’s first appearance in court last month, Musa cried while his fingerprints were taken by a court official.