Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf said Friday that the case being brought by Pakistani justice officials against him has no merit, DPA reported.
"I know there is no case against me, this is a trumped-up political case," Musharraf told CNN in an interview monitored in Washington.
Musharraf returned to Pakistan last Sunday, ending a self-imposed exile of about four years. He was in court Friday in relation to a number of cases, including the killing of former premier Benazir Bhutto and a Baloch tribal chieftain in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
As he entered a courtroom in the southern port city of Karachi earlier Friday, a man hurled a shoe at Musharraf outside. In this particular case, he had gone to the court to get his bail extended in a case about alleged detention of judges in 2007.
The former leader told CNN that others were "trying to put the blame" on him, adding that he knew "inside my heart there's nothing wrong that I did."
On his way into the court, angry protesters, mostly lawyers, tried to mob the former ruler who was surrounded by guards inside the Sindh High Court building.
Musharraf told CNN that he did not see the shoe that was hurled at him. He said he felt there was adequate security since his return, adding that the government is by law obligated to provide security to all former presidents and prime ministers.
Musharraf said entering the courtroom had been somewhat intimidating.
"I did feel a little insulted, a little humiliated," the former leader told CNN. "But I've been saying that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. I have been saying this and it should apply to me also."
Musharraf said he was convinced there was nothing against him in the cases, which he said were "politicized."
"Let truth prevail. Let not lying and falsehood be victorious over the truth," he said.
Private Geo TV said the court extended the bail for another 15 days ahead of the expiry of 10-day initial bail on Sunday in the lawyers' case.
Later, another Sindh High Court judge granted a 21-day extension in bail to Musharraf in cases relating to the killing of former premier Benazir Bhutto and a Baloch tribal chieftain in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Previous bails are now to expire on April 5.
The court also directed him to seek permission before leaving the country, reports said. Musharraf told CNN that he believed he could leave the country at any time while under bail.
Musharraf took power in 1999 after toppling the democratic government and remained in power till 2008.
He has announced he will contest the national election on May 11, but faces tough security and legal challenges.