Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years for corruption.
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption.
Pakistani officials have described the case as the biggest the country has ever seen – although the country has dealt with high-profile financial scandals in the past, some involving former leaders.
It is the latest setback for the cricket star turned politician. He has been incarcerated since August 2023..
He has been charged in more than 100 cases ranging from leaking government secrets to selling government gifts – all politically motivated, he denies.
In the latest indictment, Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are accused of accepting bribes from a real estate investor through the Alqadir Trust, which the couple set up while in power.
In exchange, investigators said, Khan had stolen £190m (£232m) recovered by England’s National Crime Agency.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has argued that the land was donated to a spiritual education center and was not used for Khan’s personal gain.
In a post on X, PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan said the former prime minister “has done nothing wrong” and this is a “politically motivated unfair trial”.
“But (Imran Khan) will not surrender, will not give up, will not break,” he wrote.
Friday’s verdict comes after several delays as Khan’s party negotiates with the government.
After his sentencing on Friday, Khan told reporters in the courtroom that he “will not make any plea or seek any relief.”
Khan’s 14-year prison sentence is the maximum that can be handed down in the case. He was fined more than £4,000.
His wife was sentenced to seven years and fined more than £2,000. Bibi, who has been out on bail since last October, was arrested in court after the sentence was announced.
In the year In 2023, Khan was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to disclose the proceeds of selling gifts in office.
Last year, Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison for selling government gifts Another 10 years To leak government secrets. Both convictions were suspended months later.
Despite being in prison and barred from holding public office, Khan still It has a prominent place in the political scene of Pakistan.. Candidates in last year’s elections are supported by Imran Khan Win a lot of seats From all parties.
Khan’s accusation sparked a massive protest by his supporters – and it did. It was met with action by the authorities.. Thousands of protesters have been arrested and many injured in clashes with the police.
