Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts
- Imran Khan was arrested at his home in Lahore after a judge ordered his arrest
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts he received during his prime.
Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end Khan’s chances of running in national elections due to be held before early November.
“Judge Humayun Dilawar has announced involvement in corrupt practices has been proven,” Pakistan TV said.
Khan did not attend the hearing at the Islamabad High Court and the judge ordered his immediate arrest. It is the second time this year that the popular opposition leader has been detained.
The 70-year-old cricketer turned politician was arrested at his home after police raided his residence in Pakistan’s second-largest city, Lahore. He will now be taken to the capital Islamabad.
Khan faces more than 150 cases brought against him since he was impeached last April – charges he says are politically motivated. Khan’s legal team said they would appeal immediately.
A Pakistani court has sentenced deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan (pictured) to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts, local media outlets reported Saturday.
Police officers stand guard at the residence of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore on Saturday
The 70-year-old cricketer turned politician was arrested at his home after police raided his residence in Lahore
Police officers prepare to take up position on a road leading to Imran Khan’s residence. He has now been transferred to Islamabad
Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end Khan’s chances of running in national elections due to be held before early November. Pictured: Khan leaves the Supreme Court in Islamabad on July 24
“It is important to state that no chance to present witnesses was given, nor was there time to wrap up arguments,” said one member of the team.
The sentence is linked to an election commission investigation that found Khan guilty of unlawfully selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
Khan – who was ousted following a vote of no confidence in parliament in April 2022 – denies any allegations.
The former Pakistani prime minister is accused of misusing his premiership to buy and sell state-owned gifts received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees.
His dramatic arrest in May – where he was filmed being forcibly evicted from court by security officers – sparked nationwide violent demonstrations by his supporters in nearly every major city in the country.
Hundreds of protesters were arrested after government and military properties were attacked and at least eight people died as unrest gripped Pakistan.
Of the hundreds of cases brought against him, several relate to corruption, terrorism and incitement to violence over the deadly protests.
His arrest followed months of political crisis and came hours after the powerful military reprimanded the former international cricketer for alleging a senior officer was involved in a plot to kill him, which saw an assassination attempt last year.
Violence erupted when Khan was arrested in May. Pictured: Police officers detain a supporter of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan as they protest his arrest, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 9, 2023
Flames rise from the premises of Radio Pakistan after it was set on fire during clashes between police and supporters of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan protesting his arrest, in Peshawar, Pakistan, on May 9, 2023. He is now jailed