Pakistan military court sentences 60 more civilians over protests in support of Khan | Imran Khan News

Imran Khan's nephew, two retired army officers among those detained for attacks on military installations after the former prime minister's arrest in May 2023.

Pakistan military court sentences 60 civilians to two to 10 years in prison in connection with attacks on military facilities after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023.

Those sentenced Thursday included a relative of Khan's, as well as two retired military officers.

Last week, another 25 were convicted on the same charges.

“The nation, the government and the armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to uphold justice and ensure that the rule of law is upheld,” he said.the military's media wing ISPR said on Thursday, adding that the military trials have now ended.

Khan's arrest on May 9, 2023 sparked nationwide protests that saw people attack and ransack military installations in an unprecedented retaliation against Pakistan's powerful military, which has ruled the South Asian country directly for decades and still wields enormous influence.

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said his nephew was among those convicted and he was sentenced to ten years in prison.

“Conducting trials in military courts undermines the fundamental rights of citizens,” Khan was quoted as saying by his X party.

Growing criticism

The convictions have raised concerns among Khan's supporters that military courts will play a more prominent role in cases involving the former leader, who faces multiple charges including inciting attacks on the armed forces.

The international community too concerns expressed over sentences. The United States said it was “deeply concerned”, while the UK's Department of Foreign Affairs, Community and Development noted that trying civilians in military courts “lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial”.

The European Union also criticized the sentences, saying they were “inconsistent with the obligations Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Pakistan's information minister said the military court's sentences did not violate the right to a fair trial, as the accused were given access to a lawyer and their families and had the opportunity to appeal twice, both in the military court and the relevant high civil court.

Khan's supporters have denied wrongdoing, and Khan has said the cases against him are politically motivated.

The military and the government have denied any unfair treatment of Khan or his supporters.

Khan's detention in May 2023. lasted several days, but he was re-arrested three months later and has remained in prison ever since as he faces a number of court cases.

The 72-year-old was barred from running in February's election, which was marred by allegations of rigging.

Meanwhile, the PTI has been subjected to a large-scale crackdown since the unrest with thousands of its supporters at the local level and senior officials arrested.

A coalition of parties considered close to the military emerged as the new government.