Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was formally charged on Monday with leaking classified documents, according to Shah Khawar, a prosecutor with Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency, outside Adiala Jail where Khan is currently detained.
“He has been indicted today and the charge was openly read out,” stated Khawar, referring to Khan’s legal situation, as reported by AFP.
Khan, a prominent ex-cricketing superstar, was initially imprisoned for a three-year term for corruption. However, following the overturning of his sentence, he was detained under the much graver accusation of sharing state documents.
The case revolves around a cable that Khan had presented as evidence supporting his claims of being ousted as a part of a US conspiracy, allegedly supported by the powerful military establishment, as per a report by the Federal Investigation Agency of the government. Both the United States and the Pakistani military have refuted these allegations.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and a former foreign minister, has also been indicted in connection with the same case.
According to Khan’s legal team, as reported by AFP, this case could potentially lead to a maximum jail term of 14 years.
