Pakistan court extends former premier Khan's pre-arrest bail on terrorism charges

Record ID: 1686169

  • Title: Pakistan court extends former premier Khan's pre-arrest bail on terrorism charges
  • Date: 25th August 2022
  • Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 25, 2022) (REUTERS) KHAN MOBBED BY MEDIA AS HE COMES OUT OF COURT (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER, IMRAN KHAN, SAYING: "It is confirmed that he (Khan's aid under arrest) was tortured. I say I will take legal action, because senior police officials were involved and also against the Magistrate who, knowing that he was tortured, still sent him back to the police custody; and they make a terrorism case on me because of that. Just think what mockery has been made of this internationally. There are news headline across the world saying Pakistan appears to be a Banana Republic where there is no law." VARIOUS OF KHAN LEAVING COURT VARIOUS OF SECURITY / SECURITY VEHICLE VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OF FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN CHANTING PLACARD THAT READS (ENGLISH): "I AM IMRAN KHAN'S TIGER" VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS CHANTING
  • Embargoed: 8th September 2022 10:24
  • Keywords: Imran Khan Pakistan bail extension court former prime minister lawyers politics supporters
  • Location: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • City: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001055925082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A Pakistani court on Thursday (August 25) extended former Prime Minister Imran Khan's pre-arrest bail for one week in a terrorism case over a speech, his lawyer said, shortly after the former premier appeared in court in person amidst tight security.
    Khan's lawyer and political aide Babar Awan told Reuters bail had been granted until Sept. 1, after which they will apply for another extension. The former premier maintained after the hearing he had said nothing wrong in the speech last week.
    Police filed charges on Saturday against former cricket star and national team captain Khan over what they said was a threat when he spoke about police torture of an aide who faces sedition charges for inciting mutiny in the military. Read full story
    Political tensions in Pakistan remain high as Khan rallies support for elections that are not due until October next year. The former premier, who has attracted large crowds in gatherings across the country since being ousted in April, said his opponents were spooked by his popularity.
    In his speech last week, Khan said he "would not spare" the Islamabad police chief and a female judge who remanded his aide to custody, adding he would take legal action against them.
    Police cited that comment and said Khan's purpose was to spread terror amongst the police and the judiciary and prevent them from doing their duty.
    Khan's bail in the matter was to expire on Thursday, but the court granted him one more week after his court appearance.
    Khan's supporters and former ministers in his government have threatened mass protests if he is arrested. One former minister has said his supporters would "take over" Islamabad.
    Speaking after the extension of his bail, Khan - surrounded by his aides and supporters - told reporters outside the court he had said nothing wrong.
    "I say I will take legal action, and they make a terrorism case on me because of that, just think what mockery has been made of this internationally," he said.
    (Production: Salahuddin, Waseem Sattar, Sheree Sardar)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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