Pakistan military convicts 60 more PTI activists including ex-PM Imran's nephew
- Last updated: December 26, 2024 | 18:29
Tariq Butt, Correspondent / AFP
Sixty more activists of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) including a nephew of its founder Imran Khan and a retired brigadier were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment by military courts for their involvement in the May 9 riots and violence against key army installations and symbols, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday.
Hassan Niazi is the son of a sister of Imran Khan. His father is deeply estranged with Imran Khan for the past few years and continues to lambaste the PTI founder in TV programmes on a daily basis.
The sentences imposed on the convicts range from two years to ten years. "The Field General Court Martial [FGCM] has promulgated the punishments to the remaining 60 culprits after examining all evidence, ensuring the provision of all legal rights to the convicts, completion of due process and the appropriate legal proceedings," the ISPR said.
Underscoring the conclusion of the military trial of all the accused, involved in the May 9 riots, under military custody, the ISPR noted that all the convicted individuals retained the right to appeal and other legal resources, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the law.
The development came days after the military courts, on December 21, sentenced 25 civilians to periods of two to 10 years of "rigorous imprisonment" in connection with attacks on military facilities in 2023, the ISPR had announced.
"Conducting trials in military courts has undermined the fundamental rights of citizens," Imran Khan said, according to a summary of a conversation he had with lawyers and press inside jail, released on X.
Former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested in May last year after being ousted from office and mounting an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the nation's powerful military leaders.
His detention over graft allegations sparked nationwide unrest, some targeting armed forces installations.
The militarysaid last summer it would try the accused in court martials closed to the public.
The process was largely opaque until Saturday, when the military announced the first 25 convictions — prompting condemnation from the United States, European Union and United Kingdom.
"These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
Announcing 60 more convictions on Thursday, the military said the court martials had now concluded.
All of the 85 men were sentenced to between two and 10 years of "rigorous imprisonment". The military did not make clear what their convictions were, listing only the location of their offences.
"The Nation, Government, and the Armed Forces remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained," a military statement said.
Broadsides from abroad
The UK government said on Monday that Pakistan's decision to convict civilians in army courts "lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial."
The European Union said Pakistan is reneging on its international rights obligations, which guarantee legal judgements are made public. But Islamabad's foreign ministry spokeswoman on Thursday rejected the criticism, saying "Pakistan's constitution and legal systems have the capacity to resolve any issues that arise internally."
Former cricket star Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted by parliament in a no-confidence vote.
Imran Khan's May 2023 detention lasted a matter of days but he was re-arrested three months later and has remained imprisoned since, facing a parade of court cases he claims are politically motivated.The 72-year-old was barred from running in February elections which were marred by rigging allegations.
Meanwhile, PTI was targeted by a sweeping crackdown following the unrest, with thousands of grassroots supporters and senior officials arrested. A coalition of parties considered close to the military establishment emerged as the new government.