A Pakistani court sentenced former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to 14 years in prison in a corruption case, the latest in a series of charges against him.
It is the longest prison sentence in force for the cricket star-turned-politician Detained since August 2023And he received.
He has faced charges in more than 100 cases, ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts — which he described as politically motivated.
Pakistani authorities described the latest case as the largest the country has witnessed, although the country has witnessed huge financial scandals in the past, some of which involved former leaders.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were accused of receiving a plot of land as a bribe from the real estate tycoon through the Al-Qadir Fund that the couple established while he was in office.
In return, investigators said, Khan used 190 million pounds ($232 million) returned by the UK's National Crime Agency to pay court fines imposed by the businessman.
Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) argued that the land was donated to the spiritual education center and was not being used for Khan's personal gain.
In a post on
“But (Imran Khan) will not give in, he will not surrender, he will not break,” he wrote.
Friday's ruling comes after several delays as Khan's party held talks with the government.
After his conviction on Friday, Khan told reporters in the courtroom that he “will not make any agreement and will not seek any compensation.”
Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison, the maximum that could be handed down in this case. He was also fined more than £4,000.
His wife was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined more than £2,000. Bibi, who has been out on bail since last October, was remanded in court after her sentence was announced.
In 2023, Khan was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to disclose money he earned from selling gifts he received while in office.
Last year, Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison for selling state gifts Another 10 years On charges of leaking state secrets. These two sentences were suspended months later.
Although he is in prison and banned from holding any public office, Khan remains so It looms large over Pakistan's political landscape. Last year's elections saw the candidates receiving the support of Imran Khan Winning the largest number of seats From all parties.
Khan's trial sparked widespread protests from his supporters It was met with a crackdown by the authorities. Thousands of demonstrators were arrested and many were injured in clashes with the police.
