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Pakistan ex-PM Khan given three-year jail sentence

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been given three-year jail sentence over corruption allegations.

Mr Khan was found guilty of not declaring money earned from selling gifts he received in office. He denies the charges and says he will appeal.

After the verdict, Mr Khan was taken into custody from his home in Lahore.

In a pre-recorded statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, he told his supporters: “I have only one appeal, don’t sit at home silently.”

The former cricketer-turned-politician, 70, was elected in 2018, but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military.

Mr Khan is facing more than 100 cases brought against him since his removal – charges he says are politically motivated.

Saturday’s verdict centred on charges that he incorrectly declared details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale.

The gifts – reported to be worth more than 140m Pakistani rupees ($635,000; £500,000) – included Rolex watches, a ring and a pair of cuff links.

“His dishonesty has been established beyond doubt,” judge Humayun Dilawar wrote in his ruling.

Mr Khan’s barrister Gohar Khan said the verdict was “a murder of justice”.

“We weren’t even given a chance. We weren’t even allowed to cross [examine], to say anything in defence or conduct our arguments. I haven’t seen this kind of injustice before,” he told Dawn newspaper.

As the court decision was announced, a crowd, which included some prosecuting lawyers, began chanting “Imran Khan is a thief” outside the building.

His party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, confirmed to the BBC that after being arrested in Lahore, Mr Khan was flown to the capital, Islamabad, to begin serving his sentence.

For months he had avoided arrest, with his supporters at times fighting pitched battles with police to keep him out of custody.

In May, Mr Khan was arrested for not appearing at court as requested. He was then released, with the arrest declared illegal.

Since then, his party has been under intense pressure from the authorities.

Many senior officials have left and thousands of supporters have been arrested, accused of being involved in the protests that followed Mr Khan’s arrest.

When questioned by BBC HARDTalk as to whether he had created an atmosphere of hostility to the military resulting in violence, Mr Khan said he and his party had never advocated the use of violence and had a record of peaceful protest.

Mr Khan said the army in Pakistan was “petrified” of elections which his party would win “hands-down” and, for that reason, “they’re dismantling a democracy”.

Pakistan’s army plays a prominent role in politics, sometimes seizing power in military coups, and, on other occasions, pulling levers behind the scenes.

Many analysts believe Mr Khan’s election win in 2018 happened with the help of the military.

In opposition, he has been one of its most vocal critics, and analysts say the army’s popularity has fallen.

Since being ousted, Mr Khan has been campaigning for early elections.

Conviction would disqualify Mr Khan from standing for office, possibly for life.

Pakistan’s parliament will be dissolved on August 9, leaving a caretaker government to take over in the run up to the elections.

No election date has been announced, although constitutionally they should take place by early November.

Source – BBC

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Ranil to appear before CID on June 11

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 11.

He will appear before the CID to provide a statement in relation to a complaint made by former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella over the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vaccines.

Several ministers from the former government have already provided statements as part of the related investigation.

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Prisons Chief sent on compulsory leave

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A decision has been taken by the Cabinet of Ministers to send Commissioner General of Prisons – Thushara Upuldeniya on compulsory leave.

The decision has been taken during today’s (June 09) Cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, an Additional Secretary attached to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration – Nishan Dhanasinghe, has been appointed as the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons with immediate effect.

In addition, the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison, who was arrested by the CID over allegations of unlawfully releasing an inmate of the Anuradhapura Prison under the presidential pardon for Vesak Poya, has been remanded.

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered to remand him until June 11. 

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Ravi Kumudesh suspended from duty

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Medical Laboratory Technologist and prominent trade union activist – Ravi Kumudesh has been suspended from duty.

According to the letter issued by the Director General of Health Services, Ravi Kumudesh, (employed at the Medical Laboratory of the Colombo National Hospital), had contested the 2024 Parliamentary Election   from the Colombo District, violating regulations of the Establishments Code.

According to the letter, the suspension is in effect from October 10, 2024.

Ravi Kumudesh will not receive a salary during the suspension and will also not be entitled to the privileges granted to government employees during the suspension period.

He is also prohibited from leaving the country during the period and is also required to notify the Ministry of Health of any change in his residential address.

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