UK and US express 'deep concern' over Pakistani military courts' conviction of 25 Imran Khan supporters | World News

The conviction of dozens of civilian supporters of Imran Khan, the former Pakistani leader, by the country's military courts is a “deep concern” for the United Kingdom and the United States, officials said.

On Monday, 25 supporters were jailed for terms ranging from two to 10 years, in what the military said was a “stark reminder” to citizens to never take the law into their own hands.

Violence erupted across Pakistan when Mr Khan was arrested by paramilitary forces in Islamabad in May 2023 after being ousted in a vote of no confidence the previous year.

The former Pakistan cricket captain and England county cricketer has been behind bars since August 2023 after being convicted of corruption and then leaking state secrets.

The Foreign Office in London said: “While the UK respects Pakistan's sovereignty over its own legal processes, trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent review and undermines the right to a fair trial.

“We call on the government of Pakistan to respect its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

Image: Mr Khan spoke to the media following his arrest last May. Photo: Reuters

The US State Department has called on Pakistan to respect the rights to a fair trial and due process.

“The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been convicted by a military court for their involvement in the May 9, 2023 protests,” a statement said.

“These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency and due process guarantees.”

Read more: Khan imprisoned again over Pakistan unrest Khan isolated in dark cell, ex-wife says

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0:31 Imran Khan supporters clash with police last month

Mr Khan's opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party rejected the conviction of civilians and demanded they be tried in normal courts if they were involved in the riots.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has not responded to criticism from the United States and Britain, but Pakistani state television showed people welcoming the convictions, saying the sanctions were imposed on people who attacked military installations.

Image: Mr Khan's supporters blocked a road in Karachi last May as part of a protest against his arrest. Photo: AP

Attaullah Tarar, the information minister, accused Mr Khan's party of “recruiting foreign pressure groups to run campaigns against Pakistan”.

State media said Mr Tarar had promised that the mastermind of the violence would be held accountable. His government has previously said Mr Khan was the mastermind, which he denies.

Earlier this month, Mr. Khan and dozens of others were charged in a civil court with inciting the population that day when protesters attacked the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, setting it on fire. a building where public radio Pakistan operates and stormed an airbase. in Mianwali, in the eastern province of Punjab.

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