Imran Khan appeals against conviction as lawyer brands jail term 'illegal'

08 August 2023 , 19:22

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Imran Khan (Image: RAHAT DAR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan is appealing against his conviction and three-year jail sentence for corruption.

His lawyer, Naeem Haider Pan­­jutha, said the Islamabad High Court will hear the appeal on Wednesday. Khan, 70, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 but remains the country’s leading opposition figure. He was convicted and jailed on Saturday on charges of concealing assets after selling state gifts he received while in power.

Mr Panjutha met Khan in the high-­security Attock jail in eastern Punjab province. The former cricket star has denied the charges. Khan’s lawyers say his conviction should be “set aside” and declared “illegal and without lawful authority”.

Supporters protest against Khan's imprisonment (SHAHZAIB AKBER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

They also request the court acquit Khan, claiming he was arrested illegally. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party claims he was being victimised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which the government denies.

Mr Sharif, 71, replaced Khan last year and is likely to step down today as this parliament’s term ends. His ruling Muslim League party faces tough competition from Khan’s party. Under Pakistan’s laws, no convicted person is eligible to lead a party. But if Khan’s conviction is overturned, he will be allowed to run.

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Khan was previously arrested for corruption in May, triggering protests, but the court ruled his arrest was illegal. Mr Panjutha has said that Khan is being held in a cramped cell but has “a high morale”. Khan has claimed his ousting was a conspiracy by Washington, Mr Sharif and Pakistani’s military – accusations all three deny.

Munir Ahmed