A Pakistani court has sentenced Imran Khan to 14 years in prison,setting up a clash with senior figures in the Trump administration who have been campaigning for his release.
Jailed for selling state secrets,graft and unlawful marriage,the former cricketer has claimed victory with an audiovisual message created using artificial intelligence.
The jailing of Khan and his wife comes a day after he was imprisoned for 10 years after he was convicted of selling state secrets.
Khan,who was ousted through a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022,is serving a three-year prison sentence in a graft case.
As Pakistan’s cricket team readies for a Test series in Australia,the World Cup-winning captain and former prime minister faces the contest of his life.
In a video released after the former prime minister’s arrest,he tells people to peacefully protest until they get their rights,namely a government of their choice.
The former prime minister has been sentenced to prison for illegally selling state gifts,local media channels said on Saturday.
The judge also asked the former prime minister to issue an appeal to his supporters to remain peaceful,as the country faced growing turmoil in its streets.
The former cricketer and prime minister has been held for at least another eight days,raising the prospect of more unrest.
Imran Khan is due to appear at an anti-corruption tribunal on Wednesday after his dramatic arrest sparked violent clashes.