Pakistan military court sentences 60 pro-Imran Khan protesters to prison terms

NEWS WIRES

26 December 2024 at 8:56 am·1-min read

Imran Khan has waged an unprecedented campaign against Pakistan's military

Pakistan's military courts have convicted 60 people involved in demonstrations in support of former prime minister Imran Khan, authorities said Thursday. The unrest followed the ex-premier's arrest on corruption charges that supporters say are politically motivated, leading to widespread unrest including attacks on military installations.

Pakistan military courts have sentenced 60 more civilians for taking part in pro-Imran Khan unrest last year, the armed forces said Thursday, after international outcry over earlier announced convictions.

Ex-prime minister Khan was arrested in May last year after being ousted from office and mounting an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the nation's powerful military leaders.

His detention over graft allegations sparked nationwide unrest, some targeting armed forces installations.

The military -- which has ruled Pakistan directly for decades at a time and still wields enormous influence -- said last summer it would try the accused in court martials closed to the public.

The process was largely opaque until Saturday, when the military announced the first 25 convictions -- prompting condemnation from the United States, European Union and United Kingdom.

"These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Announcing 60 more convictions on Thursday, the military said the court martials had now concluded.

(AFP)

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