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

PAKISTAN, Aug 5: 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’s lawyer Intezar Panjotha told Reuters that police arrested Khan from his residence. “We are filing a petition against the decision in high court,” Panjotha added.

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said protocol requires prime ministers to store the objects in the state’s safe house, while Khan is accused of having sold them at a profit.

Hyder added that his residence had been sealed off and that security forces were patrolling the area.

Khan was not in court for the hearing. 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.

(Al Jazeera)