Imran Khan’s nephews are among two retired military officers who were sentenced for attacking military installations following the former prime minister’s arrest in May 2023.

Pakistani military court sentences 60 civilians to prison terms ranging from 2 to 10 years for attacks on military installations after arrest In 2023, former Prime Minister Imran Khan took office.

Those sentenced Thursday included a relative of Khan and two retired army officers.

Last week, 25 other people were sentenced on the same charges.

“The nation, the government and the armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to uphold justice and ensure that the inviolable writ of the state is upheld,”the military’s ISPR media wing said on Thursday, adding that the military court was now over.

Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, sparked nationwide protests in which military facilities were attacked and looted in an unprecedented backlash against Pakistan’s powerful military, which has directly ruled the South Asian country for decades , and still exerts a huge influence.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said his nephew was among those convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison.

“Conducting trials in military courts undermines the fundamental rights of citizens,” Khan’s party quoted him as saying on X.

growing criticism

The sentences have sparked concerns among Khan’s supporters that military courts will play a greater role in cases involving the former leader, who faces multiple charges, including inciting attacks against armed forces.

The international community also expressed concern Regarding sentencing. The US expressed “deep concern”, while the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office noted that trials of civilians in military tribunals “lacked transparency and independent review, undermining the right to a fair trial”.

The European Union also criticized the judgments, saying they were “incompatible with Pakistan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

At a press conference on Wednesday, Pakistan’s information minister said the military court’s verdict did not violate the right to a fair trial as the accused had the right to see lawyers and their families and have the opportunity to appeal twice, either before a military court or before a military court. Relevant Civil High Court.

Khan’s supporters deny any wrongdoing and Khan says the case against him is politically motivated.

The military and government deny any unfair treatment of Khan or his supporters.

Khan was detained for several days in May 2023 but was rearrested three months later and has been in jail since then, facing a series of court cases.

The 72-year-old was barred from running in February’s election amid accusations of fraud.

Meanwhile, the riots were followed by a sweeping crackdown on the PTI, with thousands of grassroots supporters and senior officials arrested.

A coalition of parties considered close to the military establishment became the new government.