Pakistan.. 17 years imprisonment for both Imran Khan and his wife in a corruption case

A Pakistani court and lawyers for former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that sentences were issued today, Saturday, against him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison each in a corruption case related to the disposal of gifts presented to the state at less than their real value.

The latest conviction adds to a series of legal problems facing Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 and who faces dozens of cases filed against him since his removal from office in 2022, ranging from corruption charges to divulging state secrets.

Khan denied any wrongdoing in all of these cases, which his party describes as politically motivated.

Rana Mudassir Omar, the Khan family’s lawyer, told Reuters, “The court issued the ruling without listening to the defense, and sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison with heavy fines.”

The court added that they were sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor under the Pakistani Penal Code on charges of breach of trust, and another seven years under anti-corruption laws, in addition to fines of 16.4 million rupees each.

The case concerns luxury watches that were given to Khan during official visits, and prosecutors said that Khan and his wife later bought them from the state at a greatly reduced price, in violation of Pakistani gift laws.

This case is separate from a previous case involving state gifts linked to Khan’s arrest in August 2023.