Imran Khan, a former prime minister of Pakistan, was detained by police on Saturday in the eastern city of Lahore, according to his attorney, after a court gave him a three-year prison sentence for selling state gifts illegally.
Legal professionals believe that Khan’s chances of running in the national elections, which must be held by early November, maybe over if a district court finds him guilty.
According to Intezar Panjotha, Khan’s attorney, “Police have arrested Imran Khan from his residence,” Reuters said. “We are petitioning the high court in opposition to the ruling.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khan’s political party, announced in a statement that they had earlier on Saturday filed another appeal with the Supreme Court.
Khan was detained for several days in May over a separate matter, which caused him to be arrested. As a result, there was severe political unrest and violent battles between Khan supporters and the police.
Police were reportedly seen encircling Khan’s home in Lahore on Saturday after the decision was announced, according to Pakistani media and a Reuters witness.
The penalty pertains to an investigation by the election commission, which concluded that Khan had sold official gifts for an illegal price while serving as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
Khan has denied doing anything illegal.
The 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was charged with abusing his position as prime minister to purchase and resell goods acquired during foreign trips and valued at more than 140 million Pakistani rupees ($635,000).