Imprisoned ex-Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan convicted again, another blow days ahead of vote.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi — who was also convicted Wednesday — were accused of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power.
In addition to the prison terms, the couple was fined 787 million rupees ($2.8 million) each.
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was found guilty of corruption on Wednesday and sentenced to 14 years, yet another blow to the imprisoned populist leader days before his political movement attempts a return to power in parliamentary elections.
It was his second conviction in as many days and the harshest yet, and was the latest episode in the long-running battle between the powerful military and civilian leaders in the troubled Western ally.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi — who was also convicted Wednesday — were accused of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power. In addition to his prison term, Khan was disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years.
Still, the former cricket star remains intensely popular. Pakistan saw violent demonstrations — including ones that targeted military installations — after Khan’s arrest last year.
Authorities have since cracked down on his supporters and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, making further rallies unlikely, and many of his party’s candidates have been disqualified from contesting the Feb. 8 parliamentary elections.
But even given this history, analyst Azim Chaudhry said the rapid succession of Khan’s convictions — three in about six months — was unusual.
“The message is Imran Khan will remain behind bars for a longer time if he does not change his rhetoric against the country’s institutions,” said Chaudhry, who is an independent, Islamabad-based analyst.
With Khan fighting legal battles, his rival, three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, has a clear path to a fourth term in office. Sharif himself was hobbled by legal cases and prison sentences, but the Supreme Court and other courts have acquitted him on all charges and scrapped a lifetime ban on politicians with criminal convictions from contesting elections.
Sharif’s party succeeded Khan’s after his ouster and currently a caretaker government headed by Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar is running day-to-day affairs.
Khan and Bibi were indicted three weeks ago on charges they bought gifts — including jewelry and watches from Saudi Arabia’s government — at reduced prices and sold them at market value. They pleaded not guilty.
In Pakistan, government leaders are allowed to buy gifts received from foreign dignitaries and heads of state, but they aren’t usually then sold. If they are, the earnings must be declared. The prosecution said Khan did not correctly disclose his income after selling gifts.
In addition to the prison terms, the couple was fined 787 million rupees ($2.8 million) each.
Khan is already serving a three-year sentence on a corruption conviction, and he got a 10-year term on Tuesday after being found guilty of revealing state secrets; all three sentences will be served concurrently.
Awan, the lawyer, said and the latest ruling would be challenged in higher courts.
Bibi was absent when the judge announced the verdict but later went to the court to avoid being arrested. She will be handed over to prison officials to serve her sentence.
Khan briefly attended Wednesday’s hearing but left the courtroom when the judge was about to read the verdict. He said he could not remain there without his lawyer and asked the judge to wait. His request was denied.
Muhammad Ali, an Islamabad-based political analyst, noted that Khan’s legal team has frequently skipped court hearings as part of a strategy to delay the trial.
“He is not gone and I appeal to our supporters to vote for the candidates of PTI to ensure that we win the election, and this is the best way to avenge (him),” he said.
Analysts, however, have said his party will struggle in upcoming elections, with no one able to match his charisma.