(NewsGlobal.com)- Pakistani police have filed terrorism charges against former Prime Minister Imran Khan who seeks to return to office after he was ousted, according to Newsmax. The charges escalated political tensions and come after Khan gave a speech in Islamabad last week, vowing to sue police officers and a judge, adding that an aide of his who was arrested was tortured while in custody.
A court in Isamabad issued a “protective bail” for Khan for the next three days, momentarily preventing him from getting arrested, according to Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a senior leader in his Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party.
Hundreds of Tehreek-e-Insaf members stood outside of Khan’s home earlier this week to show their support as the former prime minister held meetings inside, with the party claiming to hold nationwide rallies in support should Khan be arrested while he works to clear the charges in court.
Under the country’s legal system, police must reportedly file an information report on the charges against the accused, which is given to a magistrate judge to approve so that an investigation can follow. The person is then arrested, and questions begin. Khan could face several years in prison if guilty of the charges, which allege that he police officers and a judge under the country’s sedition act.
The report includes testimony from Magistrate Judge Ali Javed who alleges that he heard Khan at a rally in Islamabad criticizing the inspector-general of Pakistan’s police and another judge. “You also get ready for it, we will also take action against you. All of you must be ashamed,” Khan reportedly said.
Khan rose to power in 2018, and his opponents contend that the military, which has ruled the country for half of its 75-year history, helped him. The country’s judiciary system has a history of pollicization and “taking sides in power struggles between the military, the civilian government and opposition politician.”
After Khan was ousted by the parliamentarian “no-confidence” vote that caused political turmoil, Khan alleged that the U.S. took part. Washington and the Pakistani government have denied the allegation.
