RT.com
18 Mar 2023, 23:44 GMT+10
The operation occurred as Imran Khan was on his way to court to face charges of illegally selling state gifts
Pakistani police officers stormed the home of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday as he was travelling to the capital, Islamabad, to appear in court in a corruption case. The raid became violent as law enforcement clashed with Khan's supporters.
Footage shared on social media shows officers breaking the main gate at the ex-PM's residence in Lahore. A video published by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Twitter appears to show police brutally beating supporters with sticks and batons.
Pakistani officials say 30 people were arrested during the raid, as they moved to clear a blockade set up by Khan's supporters near his house. The officer in charge of the operation claimed that activists had resisted by throwing stones and Molotov cocktails.
"Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this?" Khan tweeted, referring to his wife, who was in the home at the time.
He also claimed that the raid was not to ensure that he would appear in court, "but was intended to take me away to prison so that I am unable to lead our election campaign."
The operation follows several days of clashes with Khan's supporters around the perimeter of his compound, as police attempted to arrest the beleaguered politician for not appearing in court. However, the arrest warrant was later suspended by the Pakistani High Court.
In a tweet on Saturday, Khan claimed that the government intended to arrest him. He added that "despite knowing their malafide intentions, I am proceeding to Islamabad and the court because I believe in rule of law."
Khan became prime minister in 2018 and was ousted in a 2022 non-confidence vote. He is presently embroiled in dozens of legal disputes. Among other charges, he is accused of illegally selling state gifts, valued at around $2 million, that were given to him by foreign dignitaries while he was in office. He has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of South East Asia Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to South East Asia Post.
More InformationLAHORE, Pakistan: A Christian man in the town of Jaranwala, in eastern Pakistan, will appeal a death sentence given to him by an anti-terrorism...
CUTID, Philippines: On April 18, Good Friday, Christian believers in the Philippines were nailed to crosses in a reenactment of Jesus...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States will limit visas for more than 250 officials from Nicaragua, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio...
LANSING, Michigan: The Health Department in Michigan confirmed a measles outbreak in Montcalm County this week, marking the first such...
WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on May 15 about President Donald Trump's attempt to restrict automatic...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the U.S. Commerce Department to ease regulations on...
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodia and China have revived work on a stalled canal project that aims to connect the Mekong River to the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Justice kicked off its landmark antitrust trial against Google this week, warning that the...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. President Donald Trump retreated from his harsh approach to trade negotiations with China on Wednesday, and...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: More U.S. pharmacies are promising to get prescriptions to your doorstep faster than ever, with same-day delivery...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has launched the first step in crafting a new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. regulators have approved Virginia-based Capital One's $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial Services,...