A special court in Pakistan has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 10 years in prison on charges of leaking state secrets.
In the run-up to the general election scheduled for February, supporters of the move are intensifying their opposition, saying that the goal is to interfere in the election.
Khan, who served as Pakistan's prime minister for about four years starting in 2018, was detained in August last year after being found guilty of corruption, and later charged with leaking state secrets he had obtained while he was prime minister. He had been indicted.
According to Pakistani media, at a special court held on the 30th near the capital Islamabad, a judge sentenced Khan and his close aide, former Foreign Minister Qureshi, to 10 years in prison each.
The details of the verdict have not been disclosed, but Khan's lawyer says he plans to appeal.
A general election is scheduled for February 8 in Pakistan, and the political party ``Pakistan Justice Movement,'' founded by former cricket star Khan, is deeply popular, especially among young people.
Local media have reported that ``The conviction will make it difficult for Mr. Khan and his aides to run for office for the next five years,'' and Mr. Khan's supporters have criticized the ruling, saying that ``the purpose is to interfere in elections.'' It's getting stronger.