Akhtar Soomro/Portal
The arrest of the former cricketer-turned-politician has added to an already tense showdown between the military and Khan’s supporters.
(CNN) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan was unlawful, two days after his detention sparked nationwide protests and deadly clashes.
One of Khan’s advisers said he remains in the custody of the Supreme Court for his own safety and will appear again on Friday.
Khan was arrested Tuesday on corruption charges by paramilitary forces in a sudden operation in which officers broke into a courthouse in the capital Islamabad to arrest him.
He was then held in a guest house at police headquarters, where he appeared before a judge behind closed doors for a special hearing on Wednesday before being remanded in eight days’ detention on charges by Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency.
Khan’s lawyers had protested that their client’s trial would be held at police headquarters rather than a courthouse.
The police justified the step by saying that he wanted to keep Khan away from the public and thus ensure law and order.
After his arrest, eight people died and hundreds were arrested as protests between his supporters and those of the army turned violent.
The former prime minister is accused of illegally acquiring land to build a university, and in another case he was also accused of illegally selling gifts sent to him by foreign heads of state during his tenure.
In a pre-recorded statement released to YouTube by Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after his arrest, the former prime minister said he had been “imprisoned on false charges” and told his supporters: “The time is for.” all come.” that you come and fight for your rights.”
The arrest of the 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician escalated a months-long showdown between the military and Khan’s supporters.
The largest protests took place in the cities of Lahore and Peshawar, both Khan’s political strongholds, and clashes broke out between crowds and security forces.
Hundreds of protesters stormed the headquarters of national broadcaster Radio Pakistan in Peshawar and set fire to the building.
According to the authorities, more than 300 people were injured. At least 650 people have also been arrested in Khyber Pakhunkhwa province, a government official who asked not to be named told CNN on Thursday.
Nearly 1,000 Khan supporters have been arrested in the country’s most populous province of Punjab, police said, according to Portal.
Private schools have been shut down across the country and certain countries, including the United States, have issued travel warnings. To contain the chaos, the government blocked mobile internet services and cut access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Popular apps and digital payment systems have also been disrupted.