RT.com
19 Mar 2023, 00:13 GMT+10
The raid took place as Imran Khan was on the 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 on the way to the capital, Islamabad to appear in court in a corruption case. The raid turned violent as police clashed with Khan's supporters.
Footage shared on social media shows officers breaking the main gate at the ex-PM's residence in Lahore in the country's east. Another clip released 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 the blockade set up by Khan's supporters near his house. Suhail Sukhera, the officer in charge of the operation, said that activists 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?" the former prime minister tweeted, referring to his wife.
He also claimed that the raid was conducted, 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 raid came after several days of clashes with Khan's supporters around the house, as police attempted to arrest the beleaguered politician for not showing up in court. Later, however, the arrest warrant was 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, who became prime minister in 2018, was ousted in 2022 in a non-confidence vote and is embroiled in dozens of legal disputes. Among other things, 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 International Technology 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 International Technology.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: Before the start of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference this week, Apple shares hit a ...
MENLO PARK, California: Facebook parent Meta has said that under a trial that could last through the end of June, ...
DUBLIN, Ireland: To retain thousands of high-tech jobs in future years, Ireland must become a "global hub" for artificial intelligence, ...
© Provided by Xinhua Official data showed the rapid development of the import and export of goods at the Hainan ...
NewsVoirMumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 9: SBM Bank India today unlocked exclusive, on-invitation access to the world of luxury with the ...
GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC)New Delhi [India], June 9: Bird ExecuJet Airport Services Private Limited was named the sole General Aviation ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Before the start of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference this week, Apple shares hit a ...
MENLO PARK, California: Facebook parent Meta has said that under a trial that could last through the end of June, ...
DUBLIN, Ireland: To retain thousands of high-tech jobs in future years, Ireland must become a "global hub" for artificial intelligence, ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 10 (ANI): The BJP's Maharashtra president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said a certain narrative about Sharad ...
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): From June 16, cricket enthusiasts across the world will have their eyes riveted on ...
© Provided by Xinhua The Hungarian FM attributed the success of the flourishing Hungarian-Chinese relations to the Eastern Opening Policy ...