Pakistan court sentences ex-PM Imran Khan to 3 years in prison: State TV

BREAKINGBREAKING,

Khan’s lawyer reportedly said that the former prime minister had been arrested in Lahore.

A Pakistani trial court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts, local media channels said on Saturday.

“Judge Humayun Dilawar announced that involvement in corrupt practices has been proven,” Pakistan TV said.

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was accused of misusing his premiership minister from 2018 to 2022 to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees ($635,000).

Khan was not in court for the hearing, but the Reuters news agency reported that his lawyer said the former prime minister had been arrested in Lahore.

Over 150 cases were brought against him since he was ousted in April last year. Khan has denied any wrongdoing, saying the charges are politically motivated.

Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end his chances of participating in national elections that have to be held before early November.

Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said in a statement it had already filed an appeal in the country’s Supreme Court.

“It’s important to mention there was no chance given to present witnesses, neither was time allotted to round up arguments,” a member of Khan’s legal team told AFP.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.