Pakistan arrests 25 followers of Imran Khan for attacks on military bases | Imran Khan News

Military court sentences civilians involved in 2023 riots, rights groups slam decision as ‘intimidation tactic’.

Pakistan has arrested 25 civilians for attacks on military facilities following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023.

The public relations department confirmed Saturday’s verdict, saying the military court handed down sentences of “two and ten years” of rigorous imprisonment, with 14 facing ten years in prison.

The statement did not specify the charges, but referred to the actions carried out by Khan’s supporters, who stormed the military compound and burned down the general’s house during riots in May 2023, as “political terrorism”.

It said the ruling was “a stark reminder … not to impose the law.” [one’s] their hands”.

The military said others charged with the violence, which killed at least eight people, were being tried in anti-terrorism courts and justice would be fully served when the “masterminds and planners” were punished.

Amnesty International called this decision “a tactic of intimidation, designed to fight the opposition”.

He is politically motivated

Former cricketer Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was removed from parliament by a vote of no confidence, blaming the former head of the powerful army for his downfall.

The suspect, 72, was arrested for several days in May 2023, he was arrested again after three months and has been in prison since then, facing a number of court cases that he says are politically related.

Meanwhile, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been hit by violence, with thousands of grassroots supporters and senior officials arrested.

Khan was barred from contesting the election in February this year, which was marred by allegations of fraud.

The PTI contested the campaign to win more seats than any other party but was blocked by a coalition of parties deemed more susceptible to military influence.

Last month, protests and riots again hit the capital Islamabad as thousands of PTI supporters tried to enter the public square at the entrance of the parliament.

Saturday’s decision came days after Khan was indicted by an anti-terrorism court on charges of inciting attacks on militants.