Charges in Musharraf death bid
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Musharraf has cracked down on Muslim extremist groups..
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KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) -- Four Islamic militants and a former paramilitary Ranger have been charged in connection with the attempted assassination last year of Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, according to prosecutors.
Judge Maqbool Rizvi read the charges in an anti-terrorism court, based inside a prison.
Mohammed Imran, Mohammed Hanif, Mohammed Sharib, Mohammed Ashraf were named in the indictment.
The suspects allegedly belong to Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen Al-Almi, an outlawed militant group that is an offshoot of Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen, or Movement of Holy Warriors, a militant organization battling Indian rule in the disputed region of Kashmir.
The fifth suspect in the attempted assassination of Musharraf, Waseem Akhter, is a former paramilitary Ranger suspected of giving the other four information about Musharraf's movements.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
Another man, identified as Kamran, was charged in absentia in connection with the case.
Prosecution attorney Abdul Waheed Khan told reporters the defendants wanted to blow up Musharraf's motorcade during an April visit to Karachi. An unoccupied Suzuki vehicle had been parked along the route and was set to be detonated. However, a remote control did not work, and Musharraf's vehicle moved past without incident.
The maximum penalty for attempted murder is life in prison, and the judge adjourned the hearing to May 8.
Three of the defendants had been convicted for their role in last year's suicide car bombing outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, which killed 12 Pakistanis.
Imran and Hanif were sentenced to death by hanging, while Sharib and another man, Mufti Zubair were sentenced to life in prison. Ashraf was acquitted in the case.
-- Islamabad Bureau Chief Ash-har Quraishi contributed to this report
