Imran Khan's 25 Supporters Sentenced to 2 to 10 Years in Pakistan, Human Rights Groups Condemn
Following the unrest in Pakistan in 2023 and the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 25 of his supporters who attacked military sites have been sentenced to prison. On Saturday, the Pakistan military's public relations branch confirmed the sentencing, stating that a military court had handed down sentences ranging from 2 to 10 years, with 14 individuals receiving 10-year sentences.
The statement referred to these attacks as "political terrorism," but did not specify the charges. The supporters of Imran Khan were accused of attacking military institutions and setting fire to a general's house in May 2023.
The military stated that this ruling serves as a clear warning that "one should never take the law into their own hands." Additionally, it was mentioned that those accused of violence and involved in these acts are facing trials in anti-terrorism courts, and justice will be fully served once the key "instigators and planners" are punished.
Amnesty International has described the ruling as a "tactic of intimidation" aimed at suppressing freedom of expression.
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, was imprisoned for a few days in May 2023, and he faces multiple politically motivated charges. During this period, his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), faced widespread arrests, with thousands of supporters and senior officials detained.
Furthermore, Imran Khan was barred from contesting elections in February, although PTI won most seats despite various obstacles, only to be ousted by military-influenced parties.
Last month, protests and unrest erupted again in Islamabad when PTI supporters attempted to seize a public square in front of the parliament.
